Atividade respiratória como método alternativo na diferenciação do vigor de lotes de sementes Atividade respiratória como métodoalternativo na diferenciação do vigor de lotes de sementes

by Mendes, Cristina Rodrigues

New methods in assessing the physiological quality are a necessity in programmes ofseeds quality control. Th us, this study aimed to describe and analyze the efficiency ofthe method of Pettenkofer in determining th e respiratory activity for the differentiationof seeds lots on its vigor. Three lots of soy bean seeds cv. 8000 and rice cv. IRGA422C L were used. Besides the determination of respiratory activity , the followingtests were conducted as reference: degree of humidity, germination, first count ofgermination, electrical conductivity , seedlings emergence, length of the shoot androot, and total dry mass. The results of reference tests and respiratory activity ofseeds allow ed the classification of lots at differe nt levels of phy siological q uality . Thetiming of soaking and permanence of soy bean and ric e, in the eq uipment ofPettenkofer w as enough to provide the distinction o f lots. According to the results, itappears that lots of high vigor show more respirato ry activity than the low er vigor.Th e determination of respiratory activity , for the meth od of Pettenk ofer, is efficient,q uick and useful as alternative test in th e differe ntiation of vigor of lots, of soy beancv. 8000 and rice. cv. IRGA 422C L.