Physiological potential of onion seeds stored in different packaging and environments

Resumo

Storage is a fundamental step for maintaining seed quality after beneficiation. Thus, aimed evaluate the physiological potential of onion seeds stored in different packages and environments. The impermeable, semipermeable and permeable packaging were tested under the conditions: natural environment (+19 ºC), cold and dry chamber (10 ± 2 ºC and 33% RH) and cold chamber (16 ± 2 ºC and 60% RH), for 0; 90; 180; 270 and 360 days, being evaluated the water content, germination, first germination count, germination speed index, accelerated aging and emergence in the field. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. The permeable and semipermeable packages allowed changes in the water content, which triggered the beginning of seed deterioration. Onion seeds maintained their physiological quality when stored in impermeable packaging for 360 days, regardless of the environment. The other packages allow the maintenance of physiological quality when packaged in cold or cold and dry chamber.