Physiological quality of cowpea seeds for different periods of storage

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological quality in the seeds of four cowpea cultivars during nine months of storage. The cowpea cultivars used were BRS Mazagão, UFRR Grão Verde, Pretinho Precoce 1 and BRS Guariba, produced intercropped with cassava in the experimental area of the Centre for Agrarian Science of the Federal University of Roraima, in Boa Vista. After harvest, the seeds were dried, hand cleaned, placed in PET bottles and stored for nine months at a temperature of 23 ºC and a relative humidity of 60% at the Seed Analysis Laboratory of Embrapa Roraima. Data analysis was carried out in a completely randomised design, in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme with eight replications. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated at the start of storage, and after 3, 6 and 9 months, for germination, first germination count, 1000-seed weight, moisture, electrical conductivity, speed of emergence, seedling field emergence and water gain. Physiological quality in the seeds of BRS Guariba is influenced by the storage period. Irrespective of storage period, seeds of the Mazagão cultivar show superior physiological quality in relation to the other cultivars. Seeds of the BRS Guariba and Grão Verde cultivars show a reduction in physiological quality after three months of storage.

摘要 本研究旨在评估四个豇豆品种的种子在9个月贮藏期间的生理品质。供试豇豆品种为BRS Mazagão、UFRR Grão Verde、Pretinho Precoce 1及BRS Guariba，均于罗赖马联邦大学农业科学中心试验区与木薯间作种植，试验地点位于博阿维斯塔。收获后，种子经干燥、人工清选后装入聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）瓶中，于Embrapa Roraima种子检测实验室，在23℃、相对湿度60%的条件下贮藏9个月。试验采用完全随机设计，设置4×4因子试验方案，共8次重复。分别于贮藏初始期及贮藏3、6、9个月时，对种子的发芽率、发芽势、千粒重、含水量、电导率、出苗速率、田间出苗率及吸水量进行生理品质评价。研究结果显示，BRS Guariba品种种子的生理品质受贮藏时长影响显著；无论贮藏时长如何，Mazagão品种种子的生理品质均优于其余供试品种；BRS Guariba与Grão Verde品种的种子在贮藏3个月后，生理品质出现下降。