Physiological Quality of Seeds Produced under Agroecological Management

Abstract

Seed physiological quality is a key determinant of crop emergence and early stand establishment and is influenced by production and post-harvest conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the germination and vigor of maize, common bean, soybean, and sunflower seeds produced under agroecological management. Seeds were produced in an agroecological field at IFNMG – Campus Araçuaí/MG and analyzed at the Seed Analysis Laboratory of UNIMONTES – Campus Janaúba/MG. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with six replications per crop (50 seeds per replication). The evaluated variables were germination (G), first count (FC), radicle protrusion (RP, 48 h; radicle ≥ 2 mm), and germination speed index (GSI), calculated according to Maguire’s method. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. Maize seeds showed G of 66.66%, GSI of 14.05, RP of 37%, and FC of 59%, below the legal minimum standard for commercialization. Common bean showed high physiological quality (G 99.33%, GSI 33.74, RP 97.33%, FC 96.67%). Soybean presented G of 80.66% (borderline to the minimum standard), with reduced vigor (RP 53%, FC 59.33%, GSI 14.22). Sunflower exhibited high viability and vigor (G 93.6%, GSI 25.5, RP 92%, FC 78.3%). It is concluded that the physiological quality of seeds produced under agroecological management varied among crops, with high performance for common bean and sunflower, limited vigor for soybean, and low physiological quality for maize, indicating the need to improve harvesting, drying, and storage practices to ensure commercial standards.