The present study evaluated the influence of the fruit type, specific seed weight and storage on the germination and vigor of papaya seeds of the Solo group. After harvest the fruits were classified as small, medium or large. The seeds were extracted manually, washed and placed to dry in the shade. After drying, the seeds were processed in a pneumatic machine to separate light materials and also through a gravity table machine, where the seeds were separated into three classes: light, intermediate and heavy. The seeds were placed in paper bags, stored in a cold chamber and evaluated for germination and vigor (First Count of GT, Seedling Size and Accelerated Aging test) at the start of the experiment and after 3 and 6 months of storage. The best germination and vigor results were found when heavy seeds were used. High seed quality was preserved until the third month of storage.
Carica papaya; seed processing; vigor; germination
