Adaptation of the tetrazolium test for assessment of sunflower seed viability and vigor

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate methodologies for performing the tetrazolium test in the evaluation of the viability and vigor of sunflower seeds, and to establish seed quality classes for test interpretation. Different methodologies were evaluated for extracting the pericarp and seed coat, besides water priming for 16 and 18 hours (25°C), and staining with tetrazolium solution (30ºC) at the concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5%, for 2, 3, and 4 hours; and of 1.0%, for 1, 2, and 3 hours. After the definition of the most adequate methodology for performing the test, vigor classes were established according to seedling emergence on field. Five vigor classes were established, which had perfect correlation with seedling emergence. For the viability assessment of sunflower seeds, the pericarp and the seed coat should be removed after a lengthwise cut of up to 1/3 seed length, water priming should be carried out for 16 hours, and staining should be done with tetrazolium solution at 0.1%, during 3 hours.