Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Immature Seeds of Tabebuia caraiba During Storage

Abstract

Studies about the viability and vigor of seeds during storage, especially on the characterization of enzymatic changes, may increase the harvesting efficiency of immature seeds and guarantee their viability for a prolonged period. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the behavior of immature seeds of Tabebuia caraiba during storage. For this, thirty selected mother plants at the anthesis stage located in São João do Cariri and Sumé, Paraíba, Brazil were selected. Flowers of each tree were marked, and the fruits were harvested at 35, 42, and 49 days after anthesis (DAA) and characterized according to their maturation stages. The seeds from each maturation stage and city were packed in paper bags and stored in a refrigerator (6 ± 2 °C) for 360 days. The seed quality, seedling vigor, and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) were evaluated at the beginning of the storage period and intervals of 90 days. The seeds of T. caraiba harvested at 35, 42, and 49 DAA maintained high viability for 360 days of storage. T. caraiba seeds stored for 360 days withstood with high vigor when harvested at 42 DAA. The CAT, SOD, and POX activity was correlated to the deterioration process of the seeds under storage conditions. HIGHLIGHTS• The harvested T. caraiba seeds maintain high viability for 360 days of storage.• Seeds harvested at 42 DAA have higher quality.• The SOD and CAT activity is not related to the deterioration process of the seeds under storage.• POX increases activity in response to the seed storage period.