As an important method to quickly evaluate seed vigor and deterioration, both of them related to seed physiological quality, the tetrazolium test was analyzed for seeds of Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (brazilwood). Mature seeds were incubated in 0.05% to 1.00% tetrazolium solutions for a period varying from 1 to 24 hours, at 35 °C without light. Then, embryos of different levels of deterioration were analyzed under the best conditions (0.05%-0.075% for 2 hours) of incubation. It was possible to identify eight levels of vigor which will be important to a brazilwood seed lot diagnosis in a short time (4 hours) and to identify different types of embryo damages, the later essential to estimate seed storability.
analysis; germination; physiological quality; respiration; vigor test
