Use of densimetric table to improve the quality of commercial castor bean seeds
ANTôNIO LUCRéCIO DOS SANTOS NETO*, MARIA LAENE MOREIRA DE CARVALHO, JOãO ALMIR OLIVEIRA, ANTôNIO CARLOS FRAGA, ADEMáRIA APARECIDA DE SOUZA
Castor bean fruits are already used for biodiesel production but obtaining quality seeds is still a challenge. Seed cleaning improves lot quality but little is known about the effects of upgrading castor bean seed lots on a densimetric table. The objective of this study was to
evaluate the influence of cleaning castor bean seed lots on a densimetric table on their physical, physiological and sanitary characteristics. Two commercial lots of the AL Guarani 2002 cultivar,
separated into five categories according to their classification on a densimetric table (uncleaned and low, low intermediate, high intermediate and high outlets), were evaluated. Tests for the
yield, one-thousand seed weight, germination, seedling emergence, electrical conductivity and seed health were performed. The classification of castor bean seeds on a densimetric table significantly improved the physical, physiological and sanitary quality of commercial seed lots. The physiological response of the different classified lots varied according to their initial weight. Castor bean seeds separated on a densimetric table for the upper outlet showed a better physical, physiological and sanitary quality compared to those for the lower outlet.
Patrocinadores