Analysis of radiographic images and germination of Campomanesia pubescens sob secagem

The objective of this study was to evaluate the internal morphology of seeds of Campomanesia pubescens (Mart. ex DC.) O. Berg with varying water content through X-ray image analysis, and correlate the images with the germination of these seeds. Fruits were collected in Jatai, Goias, Brazil, and taken to the Seed Laboratory of the Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, where they were processed and the seeds were extracted. To establish the predetermined water content (43%, 37%, 34%, 31%, and 28% wet basis), seeds with an initial water content of 43% were kept in an oven with forced air circulation at a temperature of 40 [degrees]C until they reached the predetermined water content levels. Next, the seeds were placed in acrylic holders with double-sided tape and transported to the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), where they were exposed to different intensities of radiation. The X-ray test was conducted with 200 seeds per treatment, and images of the internal structures of the seeds were evaluated. The seeds were returned to the Seed Laboratory of the Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, where the germination test was initiated. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a factorial design (5 x 4), in which there were five water content levels and four seed classes, with four replications. The X-ray test was efficient in the identification of filled, malformed, damaged and empty seeds, which germination rate above 50% in the filled seeds. This visualization of the internal morphology of the seed can be useful to select seeds of better quality, improving the percentage of germination of C. pubescens seeds. Keywords: gabirobeira, X-ray test, quality. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a morfologia interna de sementes de Campomanesia pubescens (Mart. ex DC.) O.Berg com diferentes teores de agua por meio de analise de imagens de raios-X, e correlacionar as imagens com a germinacao dessas sementes. Os frutos foram coletados no municipio de Jatai, Goias, Brasil, e levados ao Laboratorio de Sementes do Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Rio Verde, onde foram processados e as sementes foram extraidas. Para estabelecer o teor de agua predeterminado (43%, 37%, 34%, 31% e 28% base umida), as sementes com um teor inicial de agua de 43% foram mantidas em estufa com circulacao de ar induzida, a uma temperatura de 40 [degrees]C ate atingirem os niveis de conteudo de agua predeterminados. Em seguida, as sementes foram colocadas em suportes acril