Physiological and biochemical performance of sunflower seeds subjected to different osmotic potentials

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of sunflower seed lots under different osmotic potentials. Four lots of sunflower seeds, cv. Paraíso 33 were used, submitted to different water restrictions 0 (control), -0.10 MPa (1.310 g L-1 of NaCl), -0.20 MPa (2.620 g L-1 of NaCl), -0.30 MPa (3.930 g L-1 of NaCl) and -0.40 MPa (5.240 g L-1 of NaCl), through the use of saline solutions in conducting the tests. The physiological quality was evaluated by: germination, emergence rate index, cold, emergence, accelerated aging, seedling length and seedling dry weight, as well as the enzymatic activity. The results obtained showed that the physiological potential of sunflower seeds is negatively affected in water restrictions -0.30 and -0.40 MPa, and the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (PO) are activated when sunflower seeds are submitted to saline stress.