ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF DIFFERENT UMBEL ORDER CARROT SEEDS

Abstract

Carrot seeds exhibit irregular vigor due to the wide blooming period of the crop. Results from germination tests are insufficient to evaluate the physiological potential. Thus, vigor tests are used in combination with germination tests. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of carrot seeds from different umbel order and the electrical conductivity under different temperatures and imbibing periods. Carrot seeds from cultivar Brasilia were used to perform the experiments. Content of water, the first and the final score of the germination test, index of germination rate, and length of roots and of the aerial portion were determined in the initial characterization. The electrical conductivity test was completed with replicates containing 50 seeds, in 25 mL deionized water at 20, 25 and 30^oC. Evaluations were performed with 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours of imbibing period. The experiment was accomplished under a completely random statistical design. The quality of carrot seeds varied according to the umbel order. Seeds of secondary umbels showed better physiological quality. The electrical conductivity test is efficient to evaluate the vigor of carrot seeds with 8 hours of imbibing period at 25°C.