ELECTRICAL CONDUTIVITY TEST TO EVALUATE THE VIGOR OF SEEDS OF Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby

Abstract

Evaluation of seed vigor has been an important tool for the seed quality control program, and the electrical conductivity test is an important step of the evaluation process. This research studied different procedures to access the electrical conductivity test for the cássia-de-sião seeds in order to establish an accurate protocol for the test. A total of three lots seed were analyzed. The following tests were carried out: germination, first count of germination, speed of emergence index and electrical conductivity (EC). Different temperature (20, 25, and 30^oC), and periods of soaking (6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 hours) were studied for the electrical conductivity test. Regarding seed vigor it was observed that seed time of soaking might be completed in 6 hours and that 30^oC was the most favorable temperature. Data analysis revealed that a pool of 50 seeds soaked in 50mL of water for 6 hours, at 30^oC, is the most favorable condition to determine the physiological quality of cássia-de-sião seeds.