Tetrazolium test to evaluate the quality of Dolichos lablab seeds

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify the efficiency of different methods of pre-conditioning and concentrations of tetrazolium solutions to evaluate the physiological quality of lablab seeds. The seeds went through an accelerated aging process to make lots of 0, 24, 48 and 96 hours. The seeds were also submitted to pre-conditioning method: a) scarification with sandpaper and immersion in water at 25ºC for 24 hours; b) immersion in water at 95ºC and kept the seeds in the same water for 24 hours without heating. After pre-conditioning, the tegument was removed and the seeds immersed in 0.25; 0.5 and 1.0% tetrazolium solution at 25ºC for 150 minutes. Germination tests were carried out to compare the results obtained in the tetrazolium test, first counting and index of germination velocity. The pre-conditioning of the seeds with immersion in water at 95ºC and the maintenance of the seeds in the same water at 25ºC for 24 hours, seems to be the most indicate for lablab seeds. The immersion in 0.5% tetrazolium solution at 25ºC for 150 minutes, showed the most effective in the evaluation of physiological quality of seeds of this species.