ABSTRACT
Respiration activity estimated by the Pettenkofer method is a possible alternative to traditional tests for determining vigor of seed lots. In this sense, this work aimed to verify the Pettenkofer method efficiency for estimating respiratory activity, in order to differentiate vigor of rocket seed lots, cultivars Cultivada and Folha Larga. Experimental design was completely randomized blocks with four replications and means were compared by Tukey, 5%. Germination and vigor data (respiratory activity) were subjected to correlation analysis. Besides respiratory activity we carried out tests of germination, seedling emergence and potassium leaching. Results allowed classifying lots according to their physiological quality. Determining respiratory activity by the Pettenkofer method was considered efficient, fast and useful to differentiate rocket seed vigor.
Keywords:
Eruca sativa; respiration; physiological quality
