Coriander is a vegetable crop with large consumption in Brazil, of high social and economic importance. Problems related to low seed vigor and cultivation are reported in this crop. In the present study, eleven seed lots of coriander cultivars 'Verdão', 'Americano Gigante', 'Tapacurá', 'Tabocas', 'Palmeira' and 'Asteca' were used to determine the purity, germination, vigor and pathological seed quality. In another study, effects on seed germination of the same commercial cultivars and 'Verdão HV' were evaluated at temperatures of 15; 20; 25; 30 and 35ºC. Little variation in the germination was observed among seed lots. All lots exhibited germination above the national standard, and lot 1 presented purity below the standard for seed trading. Purity and germination of coriander seeds in Brazil is generally, satisfactory. Regarding to pathological seed quality, some important fungi of coriander crop were detected, as Alternaria alternata and Alternaria radicina. In one lot was detected Alternaria dauci. Effects of temperature, cultivar and an interaction effect between cultivar and temperature on seed germination was observed. Temperatures between 15 and 25ºC were favorable to germination whereas higher temperatures reduced the germination. The cultivars 'Verdão HV' and 'Palmeira' germinated at 30ºC. At 35ºC no germination was observed in all tested cultivars, possibly due to thermoinhibition, since the seeds germinated when transferred to 20ºC.
Coriandrum sativum L.; germination; vigor; purity; microorganisms; thermo-inhibition; cultivars
