Physiological and biochemical quality of paradise nut seed

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of Lecythis pisonis seed and their biochemical changes after being subjected to accelerated aging. Seed were arranged in a randomized block design consisting of seven accelerated aging durations (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours), with four replicates of 25 seed each. Moisture content (%) was determined, and seed vigor, seedling emergence and growth (%), and the biochemical composition of seed were analyzed. Accelerated aging for 120 hours, at 40 °C, resulted in higher carbohydrate concentration and seedling emergence, and in one of the lowest lipid contents. Protein concentration decreased, whereas starch and fiber contents increased with accelerated seed aging. Seedling emergence from seed subjected to 144 hours of aging declined sharply, and seed moisture content rose significantly. Seed of L. pisonis exhibit high physiological quality.