Tratamento químico na qualidade sanitária e na germinação de sementes de Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae).

The Jatropha curcas, also known as physic nut is considered a promising crop for biodiesel production, however, research on quality control of seeds are still incipient. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of fungicides on health quality and germination of J. curcas seeds. The presence of pathogens was evaluated by the sanity test (Blotter test). Stereomicroscopy and optical microscope were used in order to identify pathogens in the seeds, and the results were expressed in percentage. The used chemicals products were 'Captan', 'Thiram' and 'Priori'. The treated seeds and the witnesses were subjected again to the "Blotter test" and the standard germination test. A completely randomized design was used with four replicates for of 50 seeds for germination data. The Jatropha seeds present pathogen incidence independent of surface disinfection. There was predominance of the fungi genera Aspergillus sp., Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Lasiodiplodia sp., Memnoniella sp., Penicillium spp. and Pestalotiopsis sp. Fungicides Thiram and Priori reduce the incidence of pathogens in J. curcas seeds. The germination of J. curcas seeds is influenced by chemical treatment, with the fungicide Thiram and Priori and reduce the incidence of pathogens in seeds and provide highest germination of seeds, especially to the Priori fungicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]