The objective of the present work was to study the methodology of the accelerated aging test to evaluate the physiological quality of carrot (Daucus carota L.) seeds and the efficiency of using saturated salt solution for water uptake by seeds during the accomplishment of the test. Four lots of carrot seeds cv. Brasília were tested for germination, seedling emergence, electrical conductivity and accelerated aging (41°C; 48, 72 and 96h; with and without the use of saturated solution of NaCl). Accelerated aging (with and without salt) ranked different vigor levels among seed lots, as well as seedling emergence. It was concluded that, among the accelerated aging protocols studied, the period of 72h, with the use of the saturated solution of NaCl, is considered appropriate to assess the physiological quality of carrot seeds, cv. Brasília. It was also observed that seed water content after the saturated salt accelerated aging test was lower and more uniform, thus showing advantages in relation to the conventional procedure.
Daucus carota; vigor; physiological quality; germination