Physiological quality of mandacaru seeds stored in different environments and packages

The storage of seeds under appropriated conditions of temperature and relative humidity reduces the breathing process and thus decreases the process of deterioration. It was aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of mandacaru seeds stored in two different environments and three packages. The treatments were disposed in a split-plot arrangement, in a completely randomized design with four repetitions. The plots received the combination of two storage environments (cold chamber and natural environment) and three packages (multilayer paper bag, plastic bag and glass), while in the subplots consisted the periods of storage (0, 2, 4 and 6 months). After each storage period, were evaluated the seeds moisture, the percentage, speed index and mean time of germination. The cold chamber is more adequate than the natural environment to storage of mandacaru seeds during six months. In the cold chamber, the three packages are efficient to maintain the physiological quality of mandacaru seeds. In the natural environment, it is recommended to use of permeable packages to remain the viability of mandacaru seeds during six months.