O beneficiamento de sementes é uma etapa subsequente à produção que visa aprimorar a qualidade de lotes, tornando-os aptos para a comercialização. Para espécies cujas sementes contêm diferenças na densidade em virtude da desuniformidade de maturação ou muito susceptíveis a danos mecânicos como o nabo forrageiro, é fundamental o conhecimento dos efeitos do beneficiamento no potencial fisiológico dos lotes. Dois lotes da cultivar CATI AL-1000, safra 2006, foram submetidos ao beneficiamento, pela máquina de ar e peneira e mesa de gravidade (descarga superior, intermediária superior, intermediária inferior e inferior) e avaliados em relação a seus aspectos físicos e fisiológicos. Foram determinados o grau de umidade, a pureza, o peso de mil sementes, a germinação, a primeira contagem da germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação, o estande inicial, a emergência, o índice de velocidade de emergência, a massa seca da parte aérea de plântulas e a sanidade. Concluiu-se que, para atender os padrões mínimos de pureza e germinação para comercialização de sementes certificadas de nabo forrageiro, os lotes devem ser beneficiados em máquina de ar e peneiras e mesa de gravidade. O beneficiamento em máquina de ar, peneiras e mesa gravitacional contribui para o aprimoramento da qualidade fisiológica das sementes de nabo forrageiro. A máquina de ar e peneiras e a mesa gravitacional são equipamentos eficientes para a separação do lote de sementes de nabo forrageiro em frações com qualidade física e fisiológica distintas. Seed Seed processing is a subsequent step for production which aims to improve lot quality, making seeds appropriate for commercialization. For species whose seeds have differences in density due to non-uniform maturation or are very susceptible to mechanical damage, such as the fodder radish, the understanding of the processing effects on the physiological potential of the lots is fundamental. Two lots of the cultivar CATI Al-1000, 2006 harvest, were submitted to processing by air screen separator and gravity table (high, intermediate high, intermediate low and low discharge) and their physiological and physical aspects evaluated. The following were determined: moisture content, purity, weight per thousand seeds, germination, first germination count, germination speed index, initial stand, emergence, emergence speed index, dry matter of seedling aerial part and health quality. It was concluded that to satisfy the minimum standards of purity and germination for commercialization of certified fodder radish seeds, lots must be processed by air screen separator and gravity table. The air screens machine and air and gravity table are efficient for separating the fodder radish seed lots into fractions with different physical and physiological quality. The lower density fodder radish seeds have lower physiological quality

The aim of this study was to adjust the accelerated aging test to evaluate the physiological potential of seed lots of Brachiaria brizantha ‘Xaraés’, represented by four lots. Seeds were tested by traditional accelerated aging and with saturated NaCl solution in five aging periods: 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The profile of the lots was determined by the following measures: moisture content, germination test, first germination count, germination speed index, initial stand, emergence, and emergence speed index. The accelerated aging test makes it possible to separate the lots by the method of saturated NaCl solution for 24 hours and it is appropriate for evaluation of seed physiological potential.

Canola is an oilseed crop of significant economic importance for food, feed production, and biodiesel, requiring high-quality seeds to ensure germination, uniformity, and productivity. This study evaluated the suitability of the accelerated aging test to assess seed vigor, as well as anatomical and histochemical alterations after artificial aging. Five seed lots of the Diamond cultivar were evaluated using germination, seedling emergence, and cold tests. The accelerated aging test was conducted using the traditional method and saturated solution with NaCl and KCl at 41 °C for 24 to 96 hours. Seed sections were stained for anatomical and histochemical analysis. The traditional method resulted in more significant seed deterioration, while the saturated solution with KCl for 24 hours preserved physiological quality, presenting cellular and staining patterns similar to non-aged seeds. After 96 hours in the traditional method, cellular disorganization and reduced protein bodies and lipid droplets were observed. The accelerated aging test using saturated solution with KCl at 41 °C for 24 hours proved effective in assessing seed vigor without compromising physiological integrity.

Soybean is an intensive care crop that overexploits the soil and requires great amounts of water and fertilizers. The objective of the study was to assess the potential of the vermicompost alkaline extract in mitigating water stress in soybean cultivated in greenhouse. Soybean plants were subjected to different water availability values - 50, 70 and 90% of the pot holding capacity, and presence/absence of vermicompost extract at the optimal concentration of 135 mg L^-1. At the end of the experiment, biometric variables of plants and enzymatic activities in root tissues were measured. The optimal extract dose of 135 mg L^-1, under control (90% of pot holding capacity) and mild stress (70% of pot holding capacity) conditions increased stem and root biomass. Under severe stress (50% of pot holding capacity), it positively influenced root architecture. The biomass decreased compared to plants that did not receive the alkaline extract, whereas enzymatic activities were depleted under all the conditions.

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) has great importance due to its easy propagation, acceptability and nutraceutical properties. The aim of the present work was to make methodological adjustments to conduct the tetrazolium test in kale seeds. Pre-tests were initially carried out to assess the priming time at 20 °C for 10 and 14 hours (times defined by the imbibition curve) and methods of removing the coat of kale seeds (total removal of the seed coat; cut in the distal region to the embryonic axis; longitudinal cut along the longest axis and whole seeds). Subsequently, the most efficient methodologies were evaluated using different concentrations of the tetrazolium salt solution (0.075%; 0.2%; 0.5% and 1.0%) and times (2, 4 and 6 h) of seed immersion in the solution, using four lots. The seeds were analyzed individually and classified as viable or non-viable. The tetrazolium test is efficient for evaluating the viability of kale seeds, providing results correlated with germination. Kale seeds should be primed between paper for 10 hours at 20 °C, and the seed coat should be removed for immersion in a 0.5% tetrazolium salt solution for 4 hours at 30 °C.