ABSTRACT
The evaluation of seed quality during the development process is
important for the definition of the moment of harvest. In this context, the
objective in this study was to evaluate the
quality of Jiló seeds during development through physiological, biochemical
and electrophoretic tests of enzymes. Six genetic materials, JIL white, JIL
001, JIL 005, JIL 006, H1 and H2 were used. Fruits were harvested at 35, 40, 45
days after anthesis (DAA). A total of 50% of all fruits harvested at 45 DAA
remained at rest for seven days which were labeled as 45 DAAr. The seeds at
each maturation stage were extracted from the fruits and evaluated by water
content, weight of one thousand seeds, electric conductivity, germination,
germination speed index, seedling emergence, and seedling emergence rate index.
The chemical composition of the seeds was also evaluated, as well as the
expression of the enzymes esterase, isocitrate lyase, malate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and endo-β-mannanase. The highest values of
germination and vigor were
found in seeds harvested at 45 DAA and 45 DAAr, mainly for hybrids H1 and H2.
The highest values of lipids and proteins and lower carbohydrates were found in
the most immature seeds of Jiló. The enzymes analyzed
showed higher expression in the initial stages of development, however reduced
with the advancement of the maturation stage. Endo-β-mannanase expression increased with seed development. Jiló seeds
harvested at 45 DAAr presented the highest of
germination and vigor values. This “being” considered as the ideal
harvest point.