Physiological maturity of carrot seeds cv. alvorada under tropical conditions

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 607; pp. 49 - 51
• Main Authors: Nascimento, W.M, Vieira, J.V, Alvares, M.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2003
• Subjects: carrots; cultivars; germination; harvest date; seeds; vegetable crops; water content; Brazil
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.607.7

Carrot is one of the five more important vegetable crops in Brazil, with a cultivated area of 27,000 ha and a production of 681,000 ton. Annually, about 140 ton of seeds are traded in the whole country, with 70 to 80% of 'Brasilia' cultivar group. In spite of the cultivars derived from 'Brasilia' that has high adaptation under tropical conditions, seeds from this group have lower quality when compared, for instance, to 'Nantes' group, generally grown during the winter season. This study was carried out at Brasilia, DF, during the year of 2000, aiming to determine the physiological maturity in carrot seeds cv. Alvorada ('Brasilia' group), in order to establish the best time to harvest high quality seeds. Seed harvesting began 14 days after anthesis, in weekly intervals, in a total of 12 harvest dates. Seed moisture content, dry seed weight, standard germination, germination first count, field emergence, accelerated aging and controlled deterioration were evaluated. Seed physiological maturity occurred between 49 and 56 days after anthesis, when seeds reached the maximum weight, germination and vigor.