ABSTRACT This study evaluates zucchini, Cucurbita pepo, seed quality after postharvest resting periods. Zucchini fruits harvested 63 days after transplanting were maintained for 0, 3, 6, 9, or 12 days before seed extraction. The percent of processed seeds (clean and whole seeds), the weight of 100 seeds, germination, first count in germination, germination speed index, electrical conductivity, nitrogen (N), and protein contents were evaluated. The weight of 100 seeds, percent of processed seeds, germination, vigor, seed N, and protein content increased as the resting period after harvest (days) increased. Seed electrical conductivity decreased as days of postharvest rest increased. After the harvest of the zucchini fruits, the resting period positively affected the production of homogeneous and high-quality zucchini seeds. Thus, the Cucurbitaceae plant family, such as zucchini, will benefit from storage or resting after fruit harvest, enabling the seeds to complete their maturation process, reaching maximum germination and vigor. The definition of the resting periods allows early fruit harvestings, reducing seed exposure to weathering and biotic stresses (e.g., microorganisms and insect pests) and improving the area’s agronomic uses.

RESUMEN Esta investigación tiene el objetivo de evaluar la calidad de la semilla de calabacín, Cucurbita pepo, después de los períodos de reposo postcosecha. Los frutos de calabacín fueron recolectados a los 63 días después del trasplante se mantuvieron durante 0, 3, 6, 9 y 12 días antes de la extracción de semillas. Se ha evaluado el porcentaje de semillas procesadas (semillas limpias y enteras), el peso de 100 semillas, germinación, primer conteo de germinación, índice de velocidad de germinación, conductividad eléctrica, nitrógeno (N) y contenido de proteínas. El peso de 100 semillas, el porcentaje de semillas procesadas, la germinación, el vigor, el N de la semilla y la proteína aumentaron en la medida que aumento el período de reposo después de la cosecha (días) La conductividad eléctrica de la semilla disminuyó a medida que aumentaron los días de descanso postcosecha. Después de la cosecha de los frutos de calabacín, el período de reposo afectó positivamente la producción de semillas de calabacín homogéneas y de alta calidad. Así, las plantas de la familia de las Cucurbitáceas, como el calabacín, se beneficiarán del almacenamiento o reposo después de la cosecha del fruto, permitiendo que las semillas completen su proceso de maduración, alcanzando la máxima germinación y vigor. La definición de los períodos de descanso permite cosechas tempranas de frutos, reduciendo la exposición de las semillas a la intemperie y al estrés biótico (por ejemplo, microorganismos y plagas de insectos) y mejorando los usos agronómicos del área.

RESUMO Mudanças constantes durante o processo de maturação das sementes afetam sua qualidade final, assim como o repouso pós colheita dos frutos pode melhorar a qualidade fisiológica das sementes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e a atividade enzimática de sementes de berinjela provenientes de frutos com diferentes idades e períodos de repouso após a colheita. Os frutos foram colhidos apresentando cores diferentes aos 40, 50, 60 e 70 dias após a antese (DAA) e mantidos em repouso por 0 (frutos recém-colhidos), 10 e 20 dias. Foi utilizado delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições e foram avaliadas as sementes extraídas de seis frutos por parcela. O repouso dos frutos de berinjela colhidos com menos de 60 DAA possibilitou maiores massas de 1000 sementes, germinação, vigor e teor de proteínas das sementes. As sementes com maior germinação e vigor apresentaram baixa atividade enzimática da superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e peroxidase (POX). Os resultados indicaram que o momento ideal da colheita é quando o fruto atinge a cor amarelada-marrom correspondente a cerca de 60 DAA; no entanto, se o fruto de berinjela for colhido precocemente (40 a 50 DAA), ele tem que permanecer em repouso por cerca de 10 a 20 dias para as sementes alcançarem alta qualidade fisiológica (germinação e vigor). final 40 6 7 (DAA recémcolhidos, recémcolhidos recém , recém-colhidos) 1 2 acaso parcela 100 SOD, SOD (SOD) CAT (CAT POX. POX . (POX) amareladamarrom amarelada marrom entanto (4 5 DAA, DAA) vigor. vigor) 4 recém-colhidos (SOD (POX (

ABSTRACT Constant changes during the seed maturation process affect its final quality and the post-harvest fruit resting, which can improve seed physiological quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological and enzymatic activities of eggplant seeds extracted from fruits harvested at different ages and resting periods after harvest. Fruits were harvested presenting different colors at 40, 50, 60, and 70 days after anthesis (DAA) and rested for 0 (freshly harvested fruits), 10, and 20 days. The experimental design was set as completely randomized, with four replications and evaluated seeds extracted from six fruits per plot. The resting periods in eggplant fruits harvested at less than 60 DAA improved the mass of 1000 seeds, germination, vigor, and protein content. Seeds with higher germination and vigor presented lower dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) enzymatic activity. The results indicated that the ideal moment of eggplant harvest for seed production is when the fruit reaches the yellowish-brown color corresponding to about 60 DAA; however, if the eggplant fruit is harvested earlier (40 or 50 DAA), it has to rest for about 10 to 20 days to achieve high physiological quality (germination and vigor). postharvest post Therefore 40 7 (DAA freshly fruits, , fruits) 2 randomized plot 6 100 content SOD, SOD (SOD) CAT, CAT (CAT) POX (POX activity yellowishbrown yellowish brown however (4 5 DAA, DAA) 1 vigor. . vigor) 4 (SOD (CAT (

Abstract Molybdenum (Mo) has a fundamental role in increasing bean productivity by potentiating the biological fixation of nitrogen. In this sense, the objective was to evaluate the nutritional quality cv. Madrepérola, with variations in the levels of molybdenum in the seeds and under foliar application of this micronutrient. For the production of seeds, the "mother plant" was fertilized with sodium molybdate in the dose of 0; 300 and 600 g ha-1. With the seeds, an experiment was installed in randomized blocks, with four repetitions, in a factorial scheme: three levels of molybdenum in the seeds and two doses of molybdenum via foliar. The contents of Co, Fe, K, Mo, N and Zn in the leaves and grains were evaluated. The foliar application of molybdenum increases the levels of iron and molybdenum in the leaves and seeds and zinc in the leaves. The seeds enriched with Mo improves the nutrition of the plant (increases of 8.98 and 7.42 g kg-1 of nitrogen in the grains of plants from seeds with low and medium molybdenum content, respectively: 8.34 mg dm-3 Zn in the leaves of plants from seeds with a medium content of molybdenum).

Resumen El molibdeno (Mo) tiene un papel fundamental en el aumento de la productividad del frijol al potencializar la fijación biológica del nitrógeno. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la calidad nutricional de cv. Madrepérola, con distintos niveles de molibdeno en las semillas y bajo aplicación foliar de este micronutriente. Para la producción de semillas se fertilizó la "planta madre" con molibdato de sodio en la dosis de 0; 300 y 600 g ha-1. Con las semillas se instaló un experimento en bloques al azar, con cuatro repeticiones, en esquema factorial 3 x 2: tres niveles de molibdeno en las semillas y dos dosis de molibdeno vía foliar. Se evalua ron los contenidos de Co, Fe, K, Mo, N y Zn en las hojas y los granos. La aplicación foliar de molibdeno incrementa los niveles de hierro y molibdeno en las hojas y semillas, y la aplicación de zinc en las hojas. Las semillas enriquecidas con Mo mejoran la nutrición de la planta con incrementos de 8,98 y 7,42 g kg-1 de nitrógeno en los granos de plantas provenientes de semillas con bajo y medio contenido de molibdeno, respectivamente, y 8,34 mg dm-3 de Zn en las hojas de plantas provenientes de semillas con medio contenido de molibdeno.