Effect of drying, pelliculation and storage on the physiological quality of eggplant seeds

Abstract

The use of methods and technologies such as drying and film coating can bring significant contributions to the farmer. This experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of drying and film coating on the physiological quality of eggplant seeds during storage. Hybrid seeds UGA MS1 produced by the company Hortiagro - Ijaci, MG were used. Seeds were subjected to two types of drying: slow (room temperature) and quick (oven with forced air circulation at 35 ºC). The chemical treatment was performed with the Captan product at a dose of 250 grams per 100 kilograms of seed and for the recoating were used three doses of polymer: (0, 3 and 6 mL.kg-1 of seeds). The physiological quality of seeds was evaluated every three months until reaching the period of nine months using germination test, seedling emergence test and seedling establishment. There is a reduction of physiological seed quality during the storage. The slow drying of eggplant seeds results in better quality seeds. The use of polymer reduces the germination percentage, germination speed index and the percentage of seedling emergence.