The objective of this experiment was to evaluate changes in the chemical composition of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), cv. Comum-RS, seeds, in response to drying delay (0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 e 48 hours) and storage (zero, four and eight months) and to correlate these changes with physiological quality. Drying was delayed by conditioning seeds in polystyrene boxes, containing 24 kg of seeds each one, and was done on a shadowy concrete floor for 12 hours, being completed in an oven with circulation of forced air. Drying delay up to 14 hours did not compromise physiological quality of seeds. When seeds were stored for four and eight months, contents of soluble protein showed positive correlation with germination. Seeds physiological quality correlated negatively with aminoacids contents and positively with soluble sugars. Drying delay increased aminoacids contents and decreased contents of soluble sugars, soluble starch and soluble protein, and 1,000-seeds weight. Storage increased aminoacids, soluble starch and soluble protein contents and decreased soluble sugars content and 1,000-seeds weight.
Lolium multiflorum; sugars; starch; aminoacids; proteins; germination
