Carrot seed size and physiological quality

Abstract

Maturation of carrot seeds occurs in a sequence based on the different orders of the umbel. Since harvest is carried out only at one stage, nonuniform seed sizes within the same seed lot may occur. The effect of seed size on physiological quality was determined. Four lots of commercial carrot seeds (cv. Brasília) were separated in three fractions: large (retention at 2 mm diameter); medium (retention at 1.5 mm diameter) and a mixture of large and medium seeds (1:1 proportion). These fractions were tested for germination, tetrazolium reduction, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging and seedling emergence. Only seedling emergence, evaluated after 14 days, showed statistical difference. However this test did, not show consistency for the separation of the fractions into different quality levels, for different lots.