Physiological quality of jambu (Acmella oleracea) seeds stored in different environments and packages

Jambu (Acmella oleracea [(L.) RK Jansen]) is a vegetable of great importance in the Amazonian region; it can be found in the daily life of the citizens of the State of Pará (Brazil), since it is part of traditional dishes such as duck in tucupi and tacacá sauce. Although jambu is widely cultivated, agronomic information about its management remains scarce. The aim of the current study was to analyze the physiological potential of jambu seeds stored in different packages and environments. The investigated packages comprised glass, Eppendorf tubes, plastic bags and paper bags conditioned in refrigerator and under natural conditions in Castanhal, Pará, for 360 days. Seed germination, first germination count, emergence seedlings, germination and emergence speed index, and seedling dry weight and length were the variables evaluated at 40-day intervals. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates of 50 seeds per treatment. Jambu seeds were only influenced by the environment where they were stored; the ones stored under natural conditions recorded decreasing behavior for the investigated variables until they reached zero, after 280 storage days. It was possible to conclude that the physiological potential of jambu seeds stored in refrigerator was better conserved.