Conservation of cowpea seeds under different storage conditions

Abstract

The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is traditionally widely consumed by Brazilians, especially in the Northeastern Semiarid, and represents one of the main agricultural holdings in the country, playing a fundamental role also in the demand for labor in cultivation and processing. Studies on the ideal conditions for storing seeds and grains are necessary and essential. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of Vigna unguiculata CV BRS Aracê seeds stored under two conditions of conservation for nine months. The seeds were divided into two lots, according to the degree of humidity (12% - lot 1, 13.5% - lot 2). The seeds were stored in zinc silos stored in a refrigerated and laboratory environment, for a period of 0 (control), 3, 6 and 9 months. The germination tests took place in the laboratory and in a greenhouse. The variables analyzed were: determination of water content (%), percentage of germination and percentage of emergence. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with sixteen treatments and four replications, with 25 seeds each, consisting of a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2 × 4 (conservation condition × water content × storage period). The seeds of cowpea stored in a laboratory environment showed greater fluctuation in water content during storage compared to seeds stored in a refrigerated environment. Storage under refrigeration for nine months maintained the physiological quality of the seeds. Seeds stored with 12% water content have a higher emergence percentage than those stored with 13.5%, after nine months of storage.