CRYOSTORAGE OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Sunflower seeds present a great economic importance due to the high oil content. The aim of this study to evaluate the effect of storage sub-zero temperatures and the quick and slow thawing methods on the physiologic quality of seeds of Helianthus annuus, cultivars BRS 122 and BRS 324. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete design, in a factorial 2x6 (cultivars x procedures) with four replications; means were compared by the Tukey test at 5%. Were evaluated: first count and percentage of germination, mean time of germination, germination speed index, dry mass seedling, root and shoot length and stability of membranes, through electrical conductivity test solution soaking of seed. Sunflower seeds tolerate storage in sub zero temperatures up to six months; the seeds of cultivars BRS and BRS 324 122 present different answers in relation to the type of freezing and thawing.