Correlation among volumetric weight and other characteristics of guinea grass

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the seed laboratory of the Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz in the University of São Paulo. Its purpose was to study correlations among volumetric weight, humidity level, physical purity, germination percentage, germination speed, weight of one thousand seeds, and percentage of alive pure seeds of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.). The sample homogenization and division were executed by centrifugal divisor and the weight determinations by analytical scale. The germination analysis was carried out twice within six and a half-month interval and all the others determinations once. The Rules for Seed Analysis were followed for the laboratory determinations, except for germination speed and cultural value of seeds. The analysis of the data collected allowed the following conclusions: a. The volumetric weight can be utilized as satisfactory indicator for seed quality of Guinea grass, based on the positive and significative correlation with the percentage of alive pure seeds; b. the weight of one thousand seeds and its purity can be utilized as complementary indicator of the volumetric weight on the seed quality evaluation. It is suggested to continue the research on the subject.