Bean seeds subjected to hydration-dehydration cycles and periods

Abstract

The hydration-dehydration technique may cause physiological and biochemical modifications in bean seeds, affecting their physiological quality. Seeds cv. Carioca were submitted to hydration-dehydration treatments for 6, 12 and 24 hours with three hydration cycles. The objective was evaluate the effects caused by hydration-dehydration treatments on bean seed physiological quality. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications, 3 x 3 factorial, with an absolute control. At the first germination count the hydration-dehydration duration and cycle treatments were superior in relation to the control. Regarding the protein fractions the treated seed globulin and prolamin concentrations increased significantly as compared to the controls. The leached cations (Ca, Mg and K) in the seed imbibition solution had a similar behaviour in relation to the electrolytic leakage.