The characteristics of materials used in packages for seed storage may have a negative influence in the deterioration process, causing future problems during the period of storage and in emergence in the field. In this study, the objective was to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds, stored in different packages with and without the addition of CO2 (modified atmosphere), for different periods of storage and in uncontrolled environmental conditions. In order to carry out the experiment, a completely randomized design was used in a split-plot scheme, with three types of packages (permeable, hermetic package inside the permeable package and hermetic package inside the permeable package with CO2 injection) in the main plot and six storage periods (zero, 45, 90, 135, 180 and 225 days) in the subplot, with four repetitions, totaling 72 experimental units. In hermetic packages multi-layer paper was used with or without CO2 injection, stored them for 225 days and performed an assessment at regular intervals of 45 days. At each period, the seeds were submitted to tests for moisture content, germination, seedling emergence, accelerated aging and electrical conductivity. The hermetic package, with and without CO2 injection, decreases the speed of deterioration of soybean seeds. The hermetic package allows a higher physiological quality of soybeans compared to the permeable package, with a storage period of up to 180 days under uncontrolled environmental conditions. The addition of CO2 inside the hermetic packages favors the maintenance of the physiological quality of soybean seeds in storage.

It is essential that tests for evaluating seed vigour be faster and increasingly efficient to enable precise differentiation among batches. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the quality of seeds based on the anaerobic metabolism of cells when exposed to environments lacking oxygen. Thus, the objective of this study was to establish methodology for evaluating the viability and vigour of 3 lots of cowpea (Amendoim cultivar) seeds using the ethanol test. The treatments were carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications. For the test, 25 seeds were stored in hermetically sealed PET (Polyethylene the Ethylene) bottles containing 40 ml of distilled water and subjected to 3 soaking times in distilled water (6, 24, and 48 h) at a controlled temperature of 40°C in a germinator. The amount of ethanol produced was quantified with the aid of an adapted breath analyser. The results are expressed as mg L-1; these data were then compared with data for the following: germination; the first germination count; the total length, root length and shoot length of the seedling; dry weight of the seedling; emergence in the field; emergence speed index; and electrical conductivity. The experimental design was completely randomised, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance and correlation analysis. The results were compared using the Tukey test at 5% probability. Measurement of ethanol after 6 or 48 h of soaking at 40°C was effective for determining the viability and vigour of cowpea seeds. As ethanol test results have high correlation with germination and vigour test results, this approach is a viable alternative for analysts and seed producers.

Corn (Zea mays) is one of the most cultivated poaceae in the world with high agricultural potential. It is propagated through seeds, which sometimes remain stored until the sowing period. Among the various forms of storage, some aspects related to the environment and the type of material that constitutes the packaging may compromise the viability and vigor of these seeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of corn seeds stored in different types of packaging and subjected to conditions of high temperature and relative humidity throughout storage. For this purpose, water content, germination and vigor were evaluated through the cold test. A completely randomized design in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme (packaging x evaluation times) with four replications was used. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression, and the means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability, using the Sisvar 5.3 statistical software. It was concluded that, in 45 days of storage, the water content in corn seeds reached values of up to 13.62%, which resulted in a reduction in the vigor due to high respiration caused by the storage temperature.

Coriander seeds have high socio-economic value in several regions of Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast. Seed maturation determined by color influences the seed quality. With this, digital image processing has become an important tool for separating seeds by color since this classification is usually performed by humans and is highly susceptible to error. The study established parameters for separating coriander seeds by red green and blue (RGB) image analysis, seeking a better selection of coriander seeds according to their color, and evaluating the physiological quality by the germination test. Separation was carried out from two coriander seed lots to obtain samples of 20 g each in three shades: yellowish, gray, and mixed. Images were acquired by the HP C4480 Scanner and processed in the MATLAB software; then, a histogram was constructed for each color analyzed in each sample by the RGB system. ANOVA tested the averages of the scales to ratify the difference in the components’ distributions. The germination test was performed to confirm the results of seed separation using image analysis. The best selection of coriander seeds was achieved by the blue scale, and the germination test indicated that yellow seeds have a higher physiological quality than brownish/greyish seeds.

Storage is a fundamental step for maintaining seed quality after processing. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the physiological potential of onion seeds stored in different packings and environments. Impermeable, semi-permeable and permeable packings were tested under natural environment conditions (+19ºC), cold and dry chamber (10±2ºC and 33% RH) and cold chamber (16±2ºC and 60% RH), at 0, 90, 180, 270 and 360 days. The design was completely randomized in a 3x3x5 factorial scheme, with three replicates. In order to evaluate emergency in field, a 3x3 factorial arrangement (packing x environment) was adopted. Onion seeds maintained their physiological quality when stored in impermeable packing for 360 days, regardless of the environment. The seeds' physiological quality was maintained in the other packings when stored in a cold or cold and dry chamber, with viability and vigor above 80% up to 180 days of storage.