Efeitos do teor de umidade da semente, dos tipos de embalagem e das condições de armazenamento na germinação das sementes de quiabo (Abelmoschus esculentus, Moench)

Resumo

The present work was conducted at the Federal University of Viçosa in order to evaluate the effects of seed moisture contents, types of containers and storage conditions on preservation of germinability of the okra.

The initial moisture contents of the seeds were: 4.5, 6.6, 10.8 and 15.9%, calcylated on a wet basis. The seeds were stored in paper, polyethylene and glass containers at room temperature in the laboratory and in a cold storage room. The germination percentages of the seeds were determined at 1,5, 20 and 29 months and the seed moisture at 1, 9 and 29 months.

The equilibrium moisture of the seeds had a decisive effect on preservation of their germinability.

Generally, as the equilibrium moisture content of the seeds increased, their ability to retain germinability decreased. Seeds stored in a paper container and placed in a cold room lost their ability to germinate rapidly because their equilibrium moisture was reached at the highest level of all seed moisture contents studied.

Seeds with high moisture content stored in a glass container at room temperature lost their ability to germinate faster than those stored in the cold room.

Seeds stored in polyethylene containers gave similar responses for both storage conditions.