This study aimed to evaluate the quality of seeds from six landrace melon (Cucumis melo L.) accessions, obtained from family farms across different zones in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The assays were carried out in the Seed Analysis Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture (LASO/LANAGRO-RS), and in the Seed Laboratory Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Samples were evaluated by the weight of one thousand seeds, germination test, first count, germination speed index, seedling dry weight, seedling size and accelerated aging test. The seeds of traditional melon accessions showed significant variation in color and size. All the accessions had more than 80% germination, regardless of post-harvest and storage management, indicating that the use of these varieties can be increased. The accelerated aging test did not permit ranking of the seed vigor level. Sanitary tests did not reveal viruses or bacteria in the seeds investigated, although Phoma sp., Cladosporium sp. and Fusarium sp. were detected in some accessions.
germination; traditional agriculture; landraces
