The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of vigor tests for Erythrina velutina Willd (mulungu) seeds. Two seed lots were evaluated for seed moisture content, 1000 seeds weight, hectoliter weight, seed length, width and thickness, germination, first germination count, field seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed, moisture content after accelerated ageing, accelerated ageing, tetrazolium test, seedling height, root collar diameter, seedling fresh and dry weights. The means were compared using the t test with 95% confidence intervals. The results for germination, first germination count, speed of seedling emergence and accelerated ageing tests coincided with seedling emergence test results in the greenhouse. All tests indicated lot homogeneity, except for the tetrazolium test, and this was confirmed by seeds morphological traits analysis. Further studies are needed to determine tetrazolium test applicability in E. velutina seeds.
Fabaceae; germination; forest seeds; seedling
