Métodos para avaliação do vigor de sementes de pepino

The objective of this study was to compare different methods to vigour evaluation in cucumber seeds. Six seed lots from the hybrid Guarani AG 370 were submitted to the following tests: standard germination, first germination count, coll germination, seedling emergence in soil, accelerated aging with and without saturated solutions of NaCl e KCl and controlled deterioration. It was concluded that the first germination count test may be used to obtain preliminary information about the seed vigour because of its eficciency in detecting differences among vigour levels and easy application. The controlled deterioration and cool germination tests only identified low vigor seed lot. The accelerated aging tests without the use of salts for 48 hours and with the use of saturated solution of NaCl for 72 hours showed the highest efficiency for separating lots with differents levels of physiological quality. Index terms: physiological quality, seeds, cucumber.