Behavior and Viability of Blueberry Seeds through Germination and Tetrazolium Test

Abstract

Knowing the physiology of seeds and the elements that influence their germination is fundamental aspects in seminiferous propagation; important techniques are used to obtain genetic variability and development of new cultivars of blueberry. The aim of this study is to evaluate the germination behavior, as well as viability levels, through germination tests and tetrazolium, of Vaccinium ashei Reade seed cultivars Briteblue and Climax. Seeds treated or not with 5 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) were submitted to the germination test, on substrates, filter paper (SP) or solid culture medium with half of the salt concentration (MS/2), at temperatures of 10°C ± 2°C or 25°C ± 2°C. The maximum germination percentage of blueberry seeds was 40%. Both temperatures and substrates caused seed germination in the tested cultivars, and pretreatment with 5 M KOH for 5 minutes inhibited germination. Yet, the tetrazolium test, based on coloration of tissue, allowed the establishment of different levels of viability.