Physiological changes in hybrid Brachiaria cv. Mulato II after accelerated aging to overcome dormancy

Abstract: To evaluate the effect of accelerated aging to overcome dormancy of hybrid Brachiaria cv. Mulato II (U. brizantha x U. decumbens x U. ruziziensis), seeds were collected from two lots with and without scarification, submitted to 42 °C and high humidity (98%) for different periods (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h) and then dried at 30 °C to the humidity of 9.1%. The physiological changes were evaluated by tetrazolium, germination, electrical conductivity, respiratory activity and enzymatic evaluation. The exposure of the hybrid Brachiaria cv. Mulato II to accelerated aging at 42 °C and 98% relative air humidity for up to 96 hours does not alter its viability by the tetrazolium test. Accelerated aging at 42 °C and 98% of humidity for up to 48 hours favors the germination of the scarified seeds of hybrid Brachiaria cv. Mulato II, with increased expression of α-amylase enzyme and reduction of electrical conductivity values. Loss of vigor occurs in scarified seeds of hybrid Brachiaria cv. Mulato II when exposed to accelerated aging at 42 °C and 98% of humidity from 96 hours with consequent changes in enzymatic systems and increased of the respiratory rate.