Abstract

KAVAN, Heloisa Caroline et al. Accelerated aging periods and its effects on electric conductivity of popcorn seeds. Rev. de Ciências Agrárias [online]. 2019, vol.42, n.1, pp.41-50. ISSN 0871-018X.  https://doi.org/10.19084/RCA.15237.

The production of popcorn has an increasing demand and requires the use of vigorous seeds. The accelerated aging test is used to evaluate seed’s vigor, promoting the disruption of the membrane system. The disruption of membranes can be evaluated by the electrical conductivity test. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects caused by different periods of accelerated aging and the ions in the exudate of the electrical conductivity test and its interactions with the physiological quality of popcorn seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized with seeds being submitted to eight accelerated aging periods (zero, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hours). Water content (%), first count of germination (%), final germination (%), germination speed index, electrical conductivity (μS cm^-1 g^-1) and length of aerial portion and primary roots of seedlings were evaluated. The germination and vigor of popcorn seeds and the amount of leachate in the electrical conductivity test were influenced by the increasing exposure period to accelerated aging. The period of 72 hours of exposure to accelerated aging produces results that reflect on the vigor potential and leachate of the seeds.

Keywords : Zea mays var. everta; physiological quality; vigor.

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