Sweet pepper seed quality and lea-protein activity in relation to fruit maturation and post-harvest storage

This study was conducted to evaluate the infl uence of fruit maturity and post-harvest storage on physiological quality and LEA proteins activity of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds. Fruits were harvested at 40, 50, 60 and 70 days after anthesis (DAA) and stored for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days before seed extraction. Seeds were evaluated by germination, fi rst count, seedling length, accelerated aging, speed emergence index, electrical conductivity and eletrophoretical analysis for proteins LEA. It was verifi ed that precocious harvest (40 DAA) was not benefi cial to physiological quality of pepper seeds even when associated to 15 days post-harvest storage. For fruits harvested at 50 DAA, 12 days post-harvest storage was indispensable to assure the physiological quality of seeds. Pepper seeds harvested from 60 DAA presented high quality, not being necessary the postharvest storage of fruits. LEA proteins synthesis occurred at 60 DAA, being directly related to physiological quality of pepper seeds.