Criteria for implementation of a tetrazolium test in canola seeds

Canola is an oilseed winter plant, constituting an alternative to crop rotation. It presents socioeconomic value for the production of vegetable oil for human consumption, biodiesel and animal food formulation. The evaluation of canola seed viability is routinely performed by germination test, which can be extended for up to 14 days if it is necessary to overcome dormancy. The objective of this study was to establish criteria for conducting a tetrazolium test in canola seeds, determining viability groups. Four lots of seed were used, placed between soaked paper to hydrate for 16 hours at 20 °C. In the coloration step, after preliminary tests, the following combinations of tetrazolium salt concentration, temperature and incubation period were tested: 0.5 and 1.0% at 30 °C; 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0% at 40 °C for two, four and six hours. It was concluded that the evaluation of viability of canola seeds by the tetrazolium test is effective upon hydration of the seeds between papers for 16 hours at 20 °C, coloration by immersion in 0.5% tetrazolium solution for six hours, at 40 °C and two viability groups were established and illustrated.

甘蓝型油菜（Canola）是一种油料冬作作物，可作为作物轮作的替代方案。其具备显著社会经济价值，可用于生产供人类食用的植物油、生物柴油及动物饲料配方。油菜种子活力的常规评估方法为发芽试验，若需打破种子休眠，试验周期可延长至14天。本研究旨在确立油菜种子四唑（Tetrazolium）试验的标准化操作流程，以明确种子活力分组。本研究选用4个种子批次，将其置于浸湿滤纸之间，于20℃条件下吸胀16小时。染色环节中，经预试验筛选后，测试了以下四唑盐浓度、温度与孵育时长的组合：30℃下分别采用0.5%、1.0%浓度的染色液；40℃下分别采用0.2%、0.5%、1.0%浓度的染色液，对应孵育时长分别为2、4、6小时。研究最终得出结论：采用四唑试验评估油菜种子活力的有效流程为，将种子置于浸湿滤纸间，于20℃下吸胀16小时，随后浸入0.5%四唑溶液中，在40℃条件下染色6小时；本研究确立了两组种子活力分级并予以图示说明。