The present work compared different tests for the evaluation of the physiological potential of Brassica seeds with emphasis to the accelerated aging test (AAT). Four lots of cabbage seeds cv. Coração de Boi, four lots of broccoli seeds cv. Piracicaba Precoce and five lots of collard seeds cv. Georgia were used. Tests of germination, first germination counting, seedling emergence, electrical conductivity and accelerated aging were accomplished. In this test three procedures were used: traditional (water), saturated NaCl solution (40 g/100 mL) and diluted NaCl solution (11 g/100 mL), at 42°C for 48, 72 and 96 hours. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with four replicates and individual evaluations for each test. The tests of first germination counting and speed of seedling emergence presented potential for evaluation of the physiological potential of cabbage and broccoli seeds. For collard seeds, the tests of seedling emergence and electrical conductivity were the most efficient. The AAT was also efficient in the evaluation of the physiological potential of Brassica seeds. For cabbage, the best distinction among the physiological potential of the seeds through the AAT was obtained following the traditional procedure and with diluted NaCl solution, both for 48 and 72 hours, and with saturated NaCl solution for 72 and 96 hours. For broccoli seeds, all of tested AAT procedures were efficient in the identification of the seed lots of superior quality. For collard seeds, the best results were obtained with the AAT in the traditional methodology for 96 hours and with diluted NaCl solution for 72 hours. It was observed that, in comparison to the use of water, the use of saline solution in the AAT inhibited sensibly the fungi growth and development.
Brassica oleracea var. capitata; B. oleracea var. italica; B. oleracea var. acephala; vigour; saline solution
