The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of black sesame seeds harvested at different times after sowing. The seeds used were derived from four different harvest times (122, 129, 136 and 143 days after sowing). The assessment of the quality of the seeds was determined by standard germination, first count germination, seedling length, electrical conductivity and mass of 100 seeds. The data were submitted to variance analysis, and the evaluation of the electrical conductivity used a 4x4 factorial arrangement (four harvesting times x four soaking times), the significant features were submitted to Tukey's test at 5% significance. The time that provides a higher quality of black sesame seeds is shown by the harvest at 136 days after sowing. However, the standardization of the harvest times due to the physiological stage of the plant should be considered, since the number of days for each phase is specific of each condition.
germination; vigor; leaching
