Effect of physiological priming on stored coffee seeds

Abstract

The physiological priming has been used to standardize and increase the speed of development of seed lots. The use of this technique is essential in coffee cultivation, as the crop has low longevity associated with slow and uneven germination. The objective was to evaluate the effect of physiological priming on the physiological quality of coffee seeds stored with different water contents. Seeds of two cultivars of Coffea arabica were used: cv. Catuaí Vermelho IAC144 and Topázio MG1190. A portion of the seeds were dried in the shade until reaching 12% moisture, and the other did not undergo drying. The seeds were stored in a cold chamber at 10 °C for nine months. Every three months, the physiological priming technique was performed with subsequent evaluation of the physiological quality by germination tests, root protrusion, normal seedlings at fifteen days, strong normal seedlings, seedlings with expanded cotyledonary leaves and seedling dry weight. Seeds that did not undergo drying subjected to the physiological priming technique maintained physiological quality after nine months of storage. Physiological priming was detrimental to dry seeds stored for nine months.