Different harvest times and physiological quality of coriander seeds

ABSTRACT The season of harvest is one of the most important factors influencing seed quality. This study evaluated the effect of different harvesting times on the physiological quality of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds, cv. Palmeira. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments (harvest times) and four replications. The experiment was conducted during the months of April to October 2010. The first moment to harvest seeds was carried out 15 days after full bloom, when approximately 50% of plants were in flowering phase. Other harvests (22, 29, 36, 43 and, 50 days after bloom) were carried out at 7 days intervals until the seeds reached 16.0% of moisture, which occurred in the 6th harvest. Immediately after each harvest, the seeds were analysed for water content, germination and vigor (first count, seedling emergence and emergence rate index). The harvest season most suitable for C. sativum seeds cv. Palmeira occurred between 46 and 50 days after flowering, when the seeds have the highest physiological quality and moisture content between 20 and 16%.