The accelerated aging test can be useful for quality control of vegetable seeds. However, there are factors which can affect the results, so it is necessary to adjust the methodology to obtain consistency. This study was carried out with the main objective of evaluating procedures for performing accelerated aging test to estimate the physiological potential of melon seeds, including the use of saturated solution of NaCl of water. Seeds of two melon hybrids (Goldex and Vereda), each one represented by five lots, were submitted to germination tests, first germination counting, electrical conductivity (16 and 24 hours of imbibition), plant emergence in greenhouse and accelerated aging. In the last, two procedures were used: traditional (water) and saturated solution (40 g 100 mL-1) of NaCl at 41ºC for 24, 48 and 72 hours. A completely random design was used with four replications and single analysis for each test. The tests of first germination counting and plant emergence were efficient to identify seed lots of inferior quality. But the electrical conductivity test was not efficient for evaluation of seed vigor. The accelerated aging test (traditional procedure and with saline saturated solution), using the period of 72 hours at 42ºC, shows to be adequate for evaluating the physiological potential of melon seeds. In comparison with the use of water, the utilization of saline solution in the accelerated aging test inhibited significantly growth and development of fungi.
Cucumis melo; vigor; germination
