Adaptation of tetrazolium test methodology to estimate the viability of Eugenia stipitata McVaugh ssp. sororia McVaugh seeds

ABSTRACT The tetrazolium test is a fast and effective method to determine seed viability. In this context, the objective was to adapt the methodology of the tetrazolium test, in relation to preconditioning, to determine the viability (Eugenia stipitata McVaugh ssp. sororia McVaugh) under different times of immersion in solution and seed size. The seeds of E. stipitata ssp. sororia need to go through preconditioning, fractionation being an indispensable technique to be performed before immersion of the seed in the tetrazolium solution, as it allows the contact of the salt with the tissue to be analyzed, which, when feasible, staining occurs (formation of the substance triphenyl-formazan). The immersion time of 26 hours in the tetrazolium solution (1% at 26 °C) is indicated for determining the viability of E. stipitata ssp. sororia seeds, regardless of the seed mass classes used.