Biochemical and physiological changes in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds during storage under different conditions

ABSTRACT:

Cultivation of chickpea has been expanding in Brazil, and defining appropriate strategies for its preservation is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and physiological changes in chickpea seeds stored in different packaging materials and environmental conditions. Seeds of the BRS Aleppo cultivar were placed in impermeable (plastic) and permeable (paper) packaging and then stored under the following conditions: cold and dry storage - CS (8 ± 1.0 °C and 35 ± 1.3% RH), cooled room - CR (18 ± 1.3 °C and 62 ± 4.0% RH), and ambient conditions without climate control - AMB (24 ± 1.8 °C and 68 ± 6.7% RH). At the beginning of storage and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, the seeds were evaluated regarding moisture content, germination, first germination count, seedling length, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, malondialdehyde content, and superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activity. Storage under CR conditions, regardless of the packaging, and under AMB conditions in impermeable packaging (plastic) maintained seed germination for up to twelve months, although vigor decreased after nine months. The physiological quality of the seeds stored under AMB conditions in porous packaging (paper) declined from six months on, showing that this condition is unsuitable for storage for 12 months. Under this condition, biochemical changes harmful to seed quality occurred, such as lipid peroxidation and reduction in SOD and CAT enzyme activity.

Index terms:
deterioration; environment; packaging; preservation; vigor