Physiological quality of Erythrina velutina Willd. seeds (FABACEAE) under different storage conditions

The objetive of this work was to evaluate the effect of different bags and storage environments in maintaining the physiological quality of Erythrina velutina Willd. (mulungu) seeds. E. velutina seeds were collected, processed and placed in Kraft paper and transparent plastic bags,and stored at room temperature (30 +/- 5 degrees C, 56 +/- 6% RH) and cold chamber (10 +/- 2 degrees C, 74 +/- 4% RH) for up to 420 days. Recently harvested seeds and the ones stored for 90, 210, 300 and 420 days were evaluated for water content, germination and seedling vigor. It was observed that the water content of mulungu seeds was altered by storage periods and bagging; germination was not affected during the evaluation period for all environments and bagging. However, this did not mean successful seedling vigor or higher growth and dry biomass accumulation. Even with the decrease in seedling vigor according to storage time, in room temperature, in paper and plastic bags up to 420 days provided a better maintenance of the quality of mulungu seeds.