Resumo: Os testes de vigor são ferramentas importantes para aferir o potencial fisiológico de lotes de sementes, porém, vários aspectos podem interferir na consistência dos resultados desses testes, tendo a busca por procedimentos menos subjetivos despertado o interesse dos pesquisadores. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de adequar a metodologia do teste de deterioração controlada e verificar a eficiência do sistema automatizado de análise de imagens de plântulas (SVIS ® ) na avaliação do vigor de crambe. Inicialmente, cinco lotes de sementes foram submetidos à determinação do teor de água e avaliações de germinação e vigor. Para o teste de deterioração controlada, o teor de água das sementes foi ajustado para 18, 20 e 22%, e a interpretação dos resultados realizada aos quatro e cinco dias após a semeadura. O teste de deterioração controlada deve ser realizado com ajuste inicial do teor de água para 18% e a avaliação da germinação realizada no quinto dia. O SVIS ® forneceu informações sobre o índice de vigor, comprimento e uniformidade de desenvolvimento de plântulas. A análise computadorizada de imagens é eficiente para avaliar o vigor de sementes de crambe, sendo o parâmetro uniformidade de desenvolvimento de plântulas o que apresenta dados mais consistentes.

Abstract: Vigor tests are important tools for verifying the physiological potential of seed lots; however, various aspects can interfere in the consistency of the test results. The search for less subjective procedures has drawn the interest of researchers. The aim of this study was to adapt the methodology of the controlled deterioration test and verify the efficiency of the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS ® ) to evaluate the vigor of crambe seeds. Initially, seed moisture content was determined and germination and vigor were evaluated in five seed lots. For the controlled deterioration test, the seed moisture content was adjusted to 18%, 20%, and 22%, and the results were interpreted at four and five days after sowing. The controlled deterioration test should be performed with initial adjustment of seed moisture content to 18%, and the germination test should be evaluated on the fifth day after sowing. SVIS ® provided information on the vigor index and the length and uniformity of seedling development. Computerized image analysis is effective in evaluating the vigor of crambe seeds, and the uniformity of seedling development parameter offers the most consistent data.

Neste estudo, acompanhou-se o desenvolvimento de quatro clones de seringueira [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müell. Arg.] selecionados pelo Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC 35; 40; 300 e 301) com relação à testemunha RRIM 600, durante os primeiros 24 meses de cultivo. O experimento foi instalado com espaçamento 1,5x1,0m, em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com três repetições e quatro plantas por parcela, em São José do Rio Preto, SP. Foram avaliados o perímetro do caule e o número de lançamentos maduros; a taxa fotossintética e o conteúdo de pigmentos fotossintéticos. Ao final do acompanhamento, o perímetro médio do tronco, a 50cm do calo de enxertia, variou entre 5,85cm (IAC 301) e 10,53cm (IAC 300) e o número médio de lançamentos maduros, de 2,58 (IAC 301) a 3,91 (RRIM 600). No período seco, em idade de 22 meses após o plantio, os valores médios de taxa fotossintética de IAC 40 e IAC 301 (12mol m-2 s-1) foram inferiores aos dos demais clones (15mol m-2 s-1). Os teores de clorofila a, clorofila b e carotenoides totais foram iguais ou superiores aos da testemunha, mas nunca inferiores. Considerando as variáveis analisadas, com exceção do 301, os clones IAC mostram desempenho comparável ao do clone RRIM 600.

In this study the development of four clones (IAC 35; 40; 300 e 301) of rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müell. Arg.] selected by Instituto Agronômico de Campinas were evaluated during the first 24 months of cultivation. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and four plants for parcel following the 1.5mx1.0m spacing at São José do Rio Preto, SP. The clone RRIM 600 was used as check. The variables analyzed were the trunk girth, the number of matured whorl, the photosynthesis rate and the concentrations of chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoids. At the end of the experiment the values of trunk girth at 0.5m above the budgrafting union varied from 5.85 cm (IAC 301) to 10.53 cm (IAC 300) and the mean number of matured whorl varied from 2.58 (IAC 301) to 3.91 (RRIM 600). During the dry season, when the plants were 22 month old, the mean value of photosynthesis rate of IAC 40 and IAC 301 (12mol m-2 s-1) were lower compared to the other clones (15mol m-2 s-1). The chlorophyll a, b and total carotenoids concentrations were equal or superior to the check, never lower. Considering the variables analyzed, excluding the IAC 301, the other clones show performance comparable to RRIM 600.

Adequate procedures to evaluate seed vigor are important. Regarding the electrical conductivity test (EC), the interference in the test results caused by seed-borne pathogens has not been clarified. This research was carried out to study the influence of Phomopsis sojae (Leh.) and Colletotrichum dematium (Pers. ex Fr.) Grove var. truncata (Schw.) Arx. fungi on EC results. Soybean seeds (Glycine max L.) were inoculated with those fungi using potato, agar and dextrose (PDA) medium with manitol (-1.0 MPa) and incubated for 20 h at 25 °C. The colony diameter, index of mycelial growth, seed water content, occurrence of seed-borne pathogens, physiological potential of the seeds, measured by germination and vigor tests (seed germination index, cold test, accelerated aging and electrical conductivity), and seedling field emergence were determined. The contents of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in the seed and in the soaking solution were also determined. A complete 2 × 4 factorial design with two seed sizes (5.5 and 6.5 mm) and four treatments (control, seeds incubated without fungi, seeds incubated with Phomopsis and seeds incubated with Colletotrichum) were used with eight (5.5 mm large seeds) and six (6.5 mm large seeds) replications. All seeds submitted to PDA medium had their germination reduced in comparison to the control seeds. This reduction was also observed when seed vigor and leached ions were considered. The presence of Phomopsis sojae fungus in soybean seed samples submitted to the EC test may be the cause of misleading results.

Vários procedimentos são utilizados para avaliar o potencial fisiológico de sementes, sendo fundamental a utilização daqueles que reflitam melhor o desempenho em campo. A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial fisiológico de sementes de soja por meio de testes de avaliação rápida, de vigor, de emergência de plântulas em campo e análise computadorizada de imagens (SVIS®), procurando identificar o procedimento mais eficiente na separação de lotes. Cinco lotes das cultivares BRS Valiosa RR e CD 208 foram avaliados em duas épocas (antes e após armazenamento) pelos testes de germinação, de avaliação rápida (embebição em água e pH do exsudato), de vigor (envelhecimento acelerado e condutividade elétrica), de emergência de plântulas em campo e análise computadorizada de imagens (SVIS®). Os testes de germinação em areia, de condutividade elétrica e de embebição em água foram eficientes na separação dos lotes, mas apenas este último possibilitou identificar diferenças consistentes entre os lotes nos dois períodos avaliados. Assim, o teste de embebição em água pode ser considerado promissor na composição de programas de controle de qualidade.

Several procedures can be used to evaluate the physiological potential of soybean seeds, but it is fundamental that reliable procedures are associated with the field performance of the seed lots. This research aimed to evaluate the physiological potential of soybean seed lots with quick tests, as well as vigor assessment, seedling field emergence and the computer image analysis system (SVIS®), to identify the most efficient procedure for classifying soybean seed lots. The physiological potential of five seed lots of 'BRS Valiosa RR ' and 'CD 208' was evaluated for two periods (before and after cold room storage) by the germination test (paper and sand), rapid evaluation tests (water imbibition and pH exudates), vigor tests (accelerated aging and electrical conductivity), seedling field emergence and the computer image analysis system (SVIS®). Germination (sand substrate), electrical conductivity and water imbibition tests were effective in separating the seed lots of both cultivars, but only the water imbibition test allowed classification in both evaluation periods. The water imbibition test is therefore considered as promising for evaluating physiological potential during seed production and storage.