The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different harvest time on physiological and sanitary quality of Zínia elegans seeds. The seeds zinia was originated from plants sowed in October of 2004, in the experimental area of the Pyrotechnic Department (UFSM). The chapters were collected manually and in according with appearance in seven times: January 17 th, February 10 th, March 15th (collect A), March 23th (collect B), April 12th, May 10th (collect A) and May 29th (collect B) of 2005. Those proceeding from the collect in January, February and May (A), appeared not quite ripe, the others had a dry appearance. The seed physiological quality was evaluated by the germination test, first counting, moistness degree, seedlings vigor classification, seedlings length and fresh mass, emergence and length of plants in field. The sanitary quality, by blotter test, was evaluated at seven days. The time of harvest of the chapters, according with appearance, influences in the seed physiological and sanitary quality of Zinnia elegans Jacq.. Seeds harvested at dry stadium, with smaller humidity degree, were the ones that presented better physiologic quality. Besides, the pathogen occurrence varied according to the harvest season, being seeds from February harvest presented a larger percentage of Fusarium spp incidence.
Zinia; germination; vigor; fungi; maturacion
