In recent years, the expansion of sunflower promoted a search for genetic material more competitive, and for seeds with a maximum physical, physiological and health quality. In the field, harvesting time and plant nutrition are essential in the expression of these qualities. With this objective, this research aimed to evaluate the physical and physiological quality of sunflower seeds under different phosphorus levels and locations within the same inflorescence. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial (3x2), being the first factor, the location of the seed in the inflorescence (outside, middle and center) and the second phosphorus levels (zero and to 70kg ha-1 super-simple). Its application was performed during the culture deployment . Seeds were subjected to the moisture content determination, thousand seed weight, seed weight per inflorescence location in germination and vigor (first count and index of germination rate). Phosphorus fertilization allowed an increase in physical and physiological quality of sunflower seeds. The region along the periphery with the environment contributes in most to obtain a better physical and physiological quality of sunflower seeds. The physical quality is affected by the location of seeds in inflorescences, which are heavier in the periphery, followed by middle and having the center with lighter seeds.
sunflower; chapter; seed quality
