Physical and physiological indicators of the quality of soursop seeds (Annona muricata L.)

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to carry out the analysis of the physical and physiological quality of soursop seeds, since there is very little information on the subject. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The material was collected at physiological maturity. The seeds were extracted from fruits in commercial maturity. They were subjected to a physical and physiological quality analysis: physical purity, humidity content of the seed, weight of 1000 seeds, integrity test of the seed with the X-ray equipment, evaluation of germination and the evaluation of viability by the tetrazolium method. A completely randomized experimental design was used in all the physical quality variables and tetrazolium tests. Other hand, a completely randomized factorial design (3x7) was used in the germination evaluation. Results: The viability results obtained by the tetrazolium method showed over 59% viable seeds, while in the germination test with the germinative pretreatments only 11.33% germination was obtained in the seeds from which the cover was removed. Findings/ Conclusions: Therefore, it was concluded that the moment of obtaining the plant material is important for its germination.