ACCELERATED AGING AFFECTS THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF THE SEED OF Jatropha curcas

Background. The Jatropha curcas species can be reproduced asexually by stakes, grafting and meristem cultivation, however, the main way to establish plantations is by means of botanical seed of high physiological quality that will ensure the germination and development of vigorous plants. Objective . To evaluate the variations in physiological and biochemical quality in stored seeds of J. curcas caused by accelerated aging deterioration method in different periods of exposure time. Methodology. Seeds with 75 days of storage were subjected to aging periods of 96, 72, 48 and 24 h at 40 ± 1 °C and 100 % relative humidity. Treated seeds were measured by germination percentage (PG), electrical conductivity (EC), protein content (CProt), fatty acids (CLip), peroxidation (IP). The lowest germination loss was obtained at 18 days in seeds with 24 h of treatment (93 %), and with 96 h they did not germinate (0 %). The EC identified progressive cell deterioration during the imbibition process (after six hours). The IP rose due to the moisture gain in the seed during the treatment period. The CProt and CLip had minimal variation. Conclusion. The physiological and biochemical quality of the Jatropha curcas seed showed serious variations with exposure to different periods of accelerated aging; It can withstand up to 72 hours of aging at 40 ± 1 °C and 100 % relative humidity before losing its viability.