Physiological and biochemical aspects of castor beans seeds deterioration stored in different packaging conditions and temperatures

The present study aimed to evaluate effects of different storage conditions on the castor bean seed cultivar IAC-226 quality, stored for 12 months. For this purpose, seeds were stored in different environment and packaging conditions: in a cold chamber and conventional storage, using multiwall Kraft paper and in no vacuum and vacuum plastic packages at 1 atm; as well as under cryopreservation storage (-196 °C). Seed quality was evaluated before and after 4, 8 and 12 months of storage by germination tests, first count of germination, emergence percentage, emergence speed index and determination of changes in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme systems. Cryopreservation (-196 °C) is efficient in maintaining the physiological quality of castor bean cultivar IAC-226 for 12 months. The enzyme catalase stands out as a marker of castor seed deterioration during storage.

Index terms:
Ricinus communis L. storage; cryopreservation; vacuum