Pre-germination is a technique of seed physiological conditioning of seeds that is based on their controlled hydration, preparing them for germination and the initial development of the seedlings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the physiological conditioning, through the pre-germination at the temperatures of 20 and 25°C, with subsequent drying of the rice seeds cv. Primavera. The seeds were submitted to immersion in water for periods of 8, 16, 24 and 32h, followed by 16, 24, 32 and 40h incubation. At the two temperatures, after conditioning, the germination tests and first count tests were applied. For the temperature of 25°C, in addition, initially, the imbibition curve was determined and, later, the cold test and the length and dried seedling mass tests were applied. At the temperature of 25°C, the treatment of 8 h of immersion and 16h of incubation presented humidity of 30.5%, considered enough for metabolic activation and presenting the best results detected in the vigor tests. It was concluded that the periods of 8 h immersion for16 h of incubation, at the temperature of 25°C and, 16 h of immersion for 24h of incubation, at the temperature of 20°C, are suitable for the pre-germination of upland rice seeds cv. Primavera. The drying of the seeds, after the pre-germination, can be accomplished up to 17.0%, without damage to the physiological quality, however, the reduction of the water content to 13.0% annuls the benefits of the treatment, harming the seed vigor.
Oryza sativa; physiologic conditioning; drying
