ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF Moringa oleifera Lam. SEEDS

The main tests that assess the quality of seeds are destructive and require a relatively long time to complete. The analysis of seed images by X-ray is an alternative to this sector, with a reproducible and fast technique, which allows greater flexibility and autonomy to the activities of production systems. The aim of this study was to analyze the internal morphology of Moringa seeds by x-rayed images and to compare it to germination and vigor tests. Four seed lots were used, collected from trees matrixes in Macaiba region, RN state, and subsequently X-rayed and the images were analyzed using ImageJ software after the radiography, submitted to the germination test, first count, germination speed index and length and dry mass of seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates per lot and the results obtained in this experiment for germination and vigor tests were compared with the free area percentage inside the seed. Lots 1, 2 and 4 had a better result for the germination and vigor tests and lot 3 proved to be of inferior quality. It was observed that the higher the open area inside the seeds was, the lower was the quality of the tested lots of Moringa. The x-rayed image analysis of Moringa seeds with the ImageJ software, allows the measurement of the filled areas and the free areas within the seed as well as the association between these areas and the germination. Severe internal damage, defect and degree of filling detected in X-rays can be associated with poor germination and seedling length reduction.