Six lots of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds were submitted to the aecelerated aging test at the temperature of 42°C and 100% relative humidity, for periods of 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. The germination capacity of the seeds decreased as the period of exposure inereased. The best period to discriminate the physiologlcal quality of the sunflower seeds used was 72 hours.
seeds; sunflower; Helianthus annuus L.; vigor; aging