Vigor of corn creole seeds by the accelerated aging test and potassium leaching

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the tests of accelerated aging and potassium leaching in the vigor classification of corn creole seeds. Fifteen batches of Creole maize purchased in seven regions of Oeste Potiguar were evaluated. For accelerated aging, the seeds were kept in a B.O.D. germination chamber, regulated at 45 ° C, for 72 hours. After this period the seeds were submitted to the germination test and the count of normal seedlings was performed on the fourth day. For potassium leaching, sub-samples of 50 physically pure seeds were used and placed in plastic cups in the incubator chamber. After this period, the readings of the leaching of the potassium ions were made through a flame spectrophotometer and the results expressed in µg / g-1 seed. Based on the results obtained, the tests of accelerated aging and potassium leaching are efficient for classifying the vigor of corn creole seeds.