The objective of this study was to determine the physiological maturity of buttennut squash seeds, cv. Menina Brasileira, in relation to fruit age. Seeds from fruits collected at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after anthesis (DAA) were used. The squash plants were grown on the central campus of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, RN - Brazil, from December 2007 to March 2008. The harvested fruits were rested prior to seed extraction and determination of the water content and dry weight. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated from tests of germination, germination first count, emergence speed index and accelerated aging. The seed water content decreased from 76% to 49% during the study period. The seed physiological quality increased with fruit age, reaching physiological maturity at about 60 DAA. The fruits may be harvested between 50 and 60 DAA.
Cucurbita moschata; physiological quality; germination
