Desiccation and storage effect over physiological quality of seeds of Syzygium jambolanum LAM

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of drying and of the storage environment on the S. jambolanum seeds germination. “Jamelão” fruits were collected at three different places in the Campos dos Goytacazes city, RJ, homogenized and washed for the removal of epicarp and mesocarp. The moisture content was determined by the oven method. Two experiments were conducted. In one, the seeds were stored in a laboratory (23,0 °C ± 1,1, HR = 75,6% ± 4,2) ; in the other ,in a cold chamber (12,3 °C ± 1, RH = 75,6% ± 5,1). The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design in a factorial 3x7, three moisture degrees (45%; 38% and 36%) and seven storage periods (0; 15; 30; 45; 60; 90 and 120 days), with four replicates. In the laboratory the seeds were conditioned in paper bags and in the cold chamber in plastic bags .To the seeds, with different moisture content, were done germination test and accelerated aging vigor test, in all periods. Counting of the number of germinated seeds was accomplished at 26 days. The seeds of S. jambolanum are sensitive to drying; in laboratory environment they lost the viability in 15 days; in the cold chamber, and not submitted to drying, they maintain the germinative potential for 120 days.