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Abstract Although there are fertilization recommendations for the cultivation of zucchini, there are just few researches about the effects of nutrients in seed production. Calcium and boron have a low mobility in plants, and some researches recommend foliar application for these nutrients. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the foliar application of calcium and boron in the production and quality of zucchini seeds. The experimental design was randomized blocks with seven replications. Four treatments were evaluated: only calcium (0.2%) application, only boron (0.1%) application, combined application of calcium (0.2%) and boron (0.1%) and the control (without calcium and boron.) The following characteristics were evaluated: number of pollen grains per flower, hundred seeds weight; seed number and weight per fruit and seed physiological quality (germination; first germination count and speed of germination index - SGI). Only boron application reduced the number of seeds produced per fruit. The combined foliar application of calcium and boron, in addition to reducing the number of seeds, also reduced SGI. The calcium only application increased the amount of pollen per flower (superior to all other treatments) and also the number of seeds per fruit (compared to the combined application of calcium + boron), without affecting the quality of the zucchini seeds. So, it can be recomended the aplication of Ca during zucchini flowering for seed production.

Abstract The post-harvest resting of the fruits can improve seed physiological quality ,once it allows the seed to complete the maturation process, so it has been a common practice in vegetable seed companies, however, there are a few studies of this technique in sweet pepper. The objective of this research was to evaluate physiological quality, and biochemical response of sweet’s peppers in regarding on the stage of maturation and the post-harvest rest of the fruits. The experimental was conducted in a 4x2 factorial, being the first factor comprised four maturation stages (35, 50, 65 and 80 days after anthesis) and, the second the post-harvest management of fruits, with and without a temporary storage of seven days. Seeds were evaluated for water content, weight of thousand seeds, germination, vigor, superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content. Fruit harvest time indicated is 80 days after anthesis (fruits 100% yellow) when seeds showed maximum germination and vigor. The post-harvest resting of the fruits was beneficial to seed physiological quality, weight of one thousand seeds and to reduce hydrogen peroxide content. Seeds of higher physiological quality showed lower superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activity, so they can be used as a marker of physiological quality in sweet pepper seeds.