Adequacy of the methodology of electrical conductivity test for seeds of <i>Pterogyne nitens</i> Tull.

Abstract

Pterogyne nitens Tull. is a forest species belonging to the family Leguminosae Caesalpinoidea, recommended for replacement of degraded areas and greening of urban roads and highways. The electrical conductivity test is a test of seed vigor, whose measurement of exudates released during their driving reflects the integrity of the membrane system. The objective of this study was to adapt the methodology of electrical conductivity test for seeds of P. nitens. The seed dormancy overcome with concentrated sulfuric acid and then were subjected to accelerated aging test at 40 ° C for 0 (control), 24, 48 and 72 hours, determining the rate and speed of germination. Then, the electrical conductivity in seeds aged for 48 hours and witness was done, evaluating three quantities of seeds (25, 50 and 75), three volumes of distilled water (25, 50 and 75 mL) and three soaking (24, 48 and 72 hours) in the comparison of seed vigor for electrical conductivity. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates, and the mean aged seeds compared to the control by the Tukey test at 5% and electrical conductivity values correlated to the results of the germination test. The electrical conductivity test correlated with seed vigor subjected to artificial aging. Thus, the use of 50 seeds soaked in 50 ml distilled water for 24 hours is recommended to conduct the electrical conductivity in seeds of P. nitens.