Interest in the effect of seed size on plant behavior is due to some researchers believing that larger seeds have more reserves and, consequently, produce more vigorous seedlings. The objective of the present study was to analyze the influence of the width of cipselas from the sunflower cultivar Helio 360, and also sowing time, on their physiological quality. Sunflower cipselas were used from three sowing times (January 22, July 9 and 12, 2007), one located in Barreiras (BA) and two in S. Desiderio (BA). The cipselas from each sowing time were separated using sieves of different sizes (6.0, 5.5, 5.0 and 4.5 mm widths). Evaluations of the water content at 70 °C and 105 °C and the physiological quality, based on seedling emergence and vigor tests, were made using a completely randomized design in a 3 x 4 factorial. Since the coefficient of variation for the water content and dry matter was lower at 70 °C, it is recommended that cipselas be dried at this temperature when drying is more uniform. It was observed that with the exception of the uncertainty, there was no significant interaction between sowing time and cipsela width considering measurements of the emergence and vigor of sunflower seedlings, and these factors did not influence cipsela physiological quality. Cipselas with a smaller width (4.5 mm) had a higher water content and more dry matter and produced a lower percentage of normal seedlings than the others.
Helianthus annuus L.; vigor; seedling emergence; water content
