Tetrazolium test in crambe seeds

The tetrazolium test is considered a promising alternative for quick evaluation of viability and vigor of seeds. The adequatio of tetrazolium test methodology for crambe seeds, specie that presents high potential for biodiesel production, may accelerate the determination of quality of different lots. With the aim to verify the ideal conditions for the tetrazolium test for crambe seeds, five lots of cultivar FMS Brilhante were submitted to the imbibition between paper in water at 30°C for three hours and after the longitudinal slicing, seeds were soaked in tetrazolium solution at concentrations of 0.075%; 0.5% and 1.0% at 30°C for 18 h and 24 h. It was observed that in the concentration of 0.75% seeds got an adequate coloration and with 0.5% and 1.0% the coloration was too intense. The imbibition of seeds between paper for 3 hours, followed by the longitudinal slicing and the utilization of 0.075% concentration for 18h or 24 hours was efficient to the evaluation of viability of crambe seeds.