The vigor test is a fundamental test used to evaluate the physiological potential of produced and commercialized seeds. Controlled deterioration was studied as a method to evaluate the physiological potential of beetroot seeds (Beta vulgaris). After immersing the fruits in running water, eight seed lots of cultivar Top Tall Early Wonder were evaluated as to germination and seedling emergence. The seed water content (SWC) was adjusted using the wet atmosphere and moist substrate methods. The controlled deterioration test was a completely randomized design with eight replicates of 25 seeds and was conducted at 45 ºC using a SWC of 22% or 24% and deterioration times of 12, 24 and 36 hours. The experimental design for seedling emergence tests was also completely randomized but used four replicates of 50 seeds. The data were statistically analyzed for each combination of SWC and deterioration period separately and the means compared by the Tukey test (p<0.05). Simple correlation analysis was run using the data from seed laboratory tests and seedling emergence. The results indicate that SWC adjustment should be carried out only using the moist substrate method. Physiological potential of beetroot seeds can be evaluated using the controlled deterioration test with parameters of 45 ºC, 24 hours and 22% SWC.
Beta vulgaris; germination; seedling emergence; vigor
