Abstract

CARVALHO, Carlos Alberto Machado; GUIMARAES, Renato Mendes  and  SILVA, Tanismare Tatiana de Almeida. Physiological conditioning in solid matrix of coffee seeds (Coffea arabica L.) with and without parchment. Rev. bras. sementes [online]. 2012, vol.34, n.1, pp. 94-98. ISSN 0101-3122.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-31222012000100012.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination and vigor of Coffea arabica L. cv. Catuaí Vermelho IAC 99 seeds, with and without parchment, submitted to physiological conditioning in a solid matrix for different time periods. The experimental design was a 2 x 4 factorial, with physiological conditioning of seeds, with and without parchment, and four conditioning times (0, 4, 8 and 12 days). The seeds were maintained at 30 ^oC in a solid matrix, with an adjustment of 100% of the water-holding capacity. After conditioning, the parchment of all the seeds was manually removed and the moisture, germination and vigor were evaluated. It was found that the presence of parchment did not influence the conditioning effects on seed quality. Conditioning for time periods of 4 and 8 days did not improve coffee seed quality, but there was loss in germination and vigor with 12 days conditioning.

Keywords : coffee; germination; vigor.