QUALIDADE FISIOLÓGICA DE SEMENTES DE ESPÉCIES FORRAGEIRAS EM FUNÇÃO DO TEMPO DE ARMAZENAMENTO

Abstract

The present work seeks to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of different forage species as a function of storage time. Three batches of seeds of the species Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú and Brachiaria decumbens. The lots were stored in an environment with controlled temperature and humidity for 18 ºC to 25 ° C, and 70% relative humidity. The batches were evaluated at different storage periods (0, 5 and 12 months after receipt). Germination and tetrazolium tests were performed. For each test, 4 samples of 100 seeds were taken from each lot in each evaluation period. After the analysis, it is concluded that the species with the greatest viability and germination potential, regardless of the storage period, was B. decumbens. Regarding storage time, there was a reduction in seed quality after 5 months of storage e B. decumbens and B. brizantha for P. maximum, a reduction in quality was observed only after 12 months of storage, with no deleterious effect of its storage in up to 5 months under the evaluated conditions.