Evaluation of the physiological quality of cotton seeds through the electrical conductivity test

Abstract

Rapid vigor tests, which are capable of producing consistent information, generally involve physiological deterioration processes, such as the electrical conductivity test, which has shown to be efficient in vigor estimation. The objective of this article is to evaluate the physiological quality of four different cotton varieties seeds (Gossypium hirsutum L.), through the electrical conductivity test. 75 seeds were used, with three sets of 25 seeds for each variety, with six periods of imbibition - 2, 6, 10, 18, 20 and 24 h - and kept in BOD at a temperature of 34º C. For the varieties physiological characterization test, sowing was carried out with three sets of 25 seeds for each variety, at a depth of ± 3 cm. The design that was used was completely randomized (DIC), with three sets of 25 seeds per variety. The results showed different physiological quality among the tested varieties, with greater accuracy in the electrical conductivity test than the common physiological characterization tests of the seeds. Variety ‘FM 910’ obtained the best results for the CE test, despite not having a good percentage of normal seedlings, due to the low emergence of seedlings during the 15 days after sowing. In the selection of batches with high vigor, the 'DP 1746B2RF' variety would be chosen, as it presents a low amount of leachate, good IVE and PC results, it also presents a high percentage of normal seedlings, and a low percentage of abnormal seedlings. Varieties ‘IMA 6501 B2FF’ and ‘FM 983GLT’ are considered to be inferior quality by the CE test, and ‘FM 983GLT’ had a high percentage of abnormal seedlings.