Physiological quality of seeds of bean cultivars in terms of population densities

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of different cultivars of beans in terms of densities. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm Unimontes in Janaúba, MG, with sowing in March 2011. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial 4 x 5 with four replications. The treatments consisted of four bean cultivars of different growth habits (Ouro Vermelho, Ouro Negro, BRSMG Madrepérola and Manteigão Vermelho) and five densities (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 000 plants ha -1 ). The seeds were evaluated for water content, germination and vigor tests (seedling emergence, speed of emergence index and accelerated aging). Cultivars Ouro Vermelho, Ouro Negro and BRSMG Madrepérola produce better quality seed physiological, relative to cultivate Manteigão Vermelhão. Increasing the seeding rate did not affect the physiological quality of seeds of bean cultivars, with the exception of Madrepérola, where the population density up to 290 000 plants ha -1 is suitable for production of quality seeds under the conditions studied.