The objective of the present study was to investigate the methodology of the accelerated aging test to evaluate the physiological quality of salad rocket (Eruca sativa L.) seeds, cv. Cultivada. Five lots of salad rocket seeds were tested for germination, seedling emergence, speed germination and emergence rates and accelerated aging (periods of 48, 72 and 96 hours, at 41 and 45ºC, with or without the use of saturated solution of NaCl). Accelerated aging (with and without salt) ranked different vigor levels among seeds lots, and among the protocols studied, the period of 48h at 41ºC, with the use of water or the saturated solution of NaCl, was considered appropriate to assess the physiological quality of salad rocket seeds, cv. Cultivada.
vegetables; seed; analysis; physiological potential; vigour
