African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Review

Analysis of seed quality: A nonstop evolving activity

Andréa Bicca Noguez Martins
  • Andréa Bicca Noguez Martins
  • Faculty of Agronomy Eliseu Maciel, Post Graduate Science and Seed Technology, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão Campus, P. O. Box 354, ZIP Code 960001-970, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Patrícia Marini
  • Patrícia Marini
  • Department of Botany, Biology Institute, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão Campus, P. O. Box 354, ZIP Code 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Juliana de Magalhães Bandeira
  • Juliana de Magalhães Bandeira
  • Department of Botany, Biology Institute, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão Campus, P. O. Box 354, ZIP Code 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Francisco Amaral Villela
  • Francisco Amaral Villela
  • Faculty of Agronomy Eliseu Maciel, Post Graduate Science and Seed Technology, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão Campus, P. O. Box 354, ZIP Code 960001-970, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Dario Munt de Moraes
  • Dario Munt de Moraes
  • Department of Botany, Biology Institute, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão Campus, P. O. Box 354, ZIP Code 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 12 June 2014
  •  Accepted: 18 November 2014
  •  Published: 04 December 2014

Abstract

The enhancement of the production processes and increasing demand for high-quality seeds, has led the seed quality control companies to technically improve their activities. Due to this demand, we searched to improve tests related to physiological seed quality, aiming to obtain analysis results that are more consistent with the findings related to field conditions, providing information about the possibilities of the seeds in producing vigorous and representative seedlings. The studies related to the tests for seed vigor evaluation are noteworthy, as they are auxiliaries to the germination test, which has its limitations, especially when regarded to the differentiation of the lots and a relative delaying in obtaining reliable results in short time periods. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the available information about seed quality analysis, reporting the possible incorporation of a new method for this analysis.

 

Key words: Rapid tests, viability, vigor.