Viability and vigor of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds using the tetrazolium test

Abstract

To evaluate the physiological potential of the seeds, the tetrazolium test would be an interesting alternative, as it is a quick test that provides a detailed analysis of viability and vigor. Therefore, it is necessary to define pre-conditioning conditions, such as temperature and duration of soaking, concentration of the tetrazolium solution, and method of exposing the seeds to staining. Moringa oleifera Lam., belonging to the family Moringaceae, is widely distributed in tropical countries and easily adapted to semi-arid conditions, possessing medicinal value, as forage, condiment, in the cosmetics industry, melliferous, fuel, and in water purification treatment through the coagulant solution made from seeds. Based on the above, the objectives of the present work were to establish the most appropriate procedure for conducting the tetrazolium test to evaluate the viability and vigor of M. oleifera seeds. Only the cotyledons containing the embryo were placed in 50 mL plastic cups and immersed in a solution of 2,3,5-triphenyl chloride tetrazolium salt at concentrations of 0.05; 0.075 and 0.1% for staining periods of 1, 2, and 3 hours in a Biochemical Oxygen Demand chamber at 30 ºC in the dark. The seeds were evaluated one by one for tissue condition (firm or flaccid) and seed color, and by the location and size of the lesions on the cotyledon and embryonic axis. For the standardization of the tetrazolium test, the Completely Randomized Design was used in a 3x3+1 factorial scheme (three concentrations of tetrazolium solution x three staining periods + control = germination test) with four repetitions of 25 seeds. M. oleifera seeds were found to have a high germination rate (100%), there was no significant difference between the control and the percentage of viable seeds (TZ) for the 2 and 3 hours staining periods, immersed in tetrazolium solution at concentrations of 0.075 (96%) and 0.05% (99%), respectively. The most appropriate procedure for conducting the tetrazolium test to assess the viability and vigor of M. oleifera seeds is to use a concentration of 0.05% for 3 hours of salt immersion