This study was carried out to verify the effect of heat stress and the level of parents and segregant populations at the germination phase under controlled conditions. Seeds of eight parents and eight segregant populations were germinated in moistened germitest paper at 25/15 ºC (daytime/night) for treatments without stress, and at 35/25 ºC (daytime/night) with stress. Randomized block design with four replications was used. For each replication, two germitest paper rolls were used: one for determining the dry matter of the seeds at 3rd day after sowing, and the other one for determining the dry matter of the plantlets at the 10th day after sowing. The efficiency in using the endosperm was evaluated and the stress index calculated. High temperature at seed germination causes reduction in the dry matter of the plantlet and efficiency in using the endosperm. Tolerance varies among parents and populations. The most heat-tolerant genotipes were CPAC9662/IVI931009, BR24/Aliança, Aliança and CPAC9662.
Triticum aestivum L.; temperature; genetic variability; seed germination
