Morphological study of squash seeds at different stages of maturation through the use of X-ray

ABSTRACT Analysis of images has been recently used in order to both assess seed quality and elucidate some aspects of seed physiology, including X-ray tests and other resources. The objective of this study was to examine whether the X-ray may be successfully used to detect physical abnormalities, and relate their occurrence with physiological potential of tetsukabuto type squash seeds. Fruits were harvested at different maturation stages (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after anthesis - DAA) and temporarily or not stored for 20 days. Seeds were radiographed using an intensity of 25 kV for 40 seconds and then germinated under alternating temperatures of 20-30 ºC. After four and eight days, percentages of normal and abnormal seedlings and dead seeds were recorded. Results of both counts were evaluated comparatively with images of the internal morphology of each seed, obtained by means of X-ray test. The radiographic analysis is effective in detecting full, malformed and empty squash seeds. This confirmed information provided by the germination test, in which seeds harvested from 60 DAA and stored for 20 days were better in physiological potential.