Seed vigor is a major attribute in the determination of whether a seed lot can be
commercialized.
Different physiological tests are used to assess seed vigor and are generally based on
different concepts, which could lead to variable interpretations, particularly when comparing lots
presenting different vigor levels.
This study was conducted to compare the different approaches used to
evaluate bell pepper seed vigor and verify the applicability of the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS) for this
purpose.
The experiment was performed using four seed lots of bell pepper hybrids in two periods, and the
evaluations involved germination, seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed index, saturated salt
accelerated aging and image analysis.
The use of seedling imaging analysis by SVIS is a new approach for
bell pepper seed vigor evaluation.
Both the software and traditional tests provided sufficient information
for seed vigor analysis, enabling the segregation of the analyzed seed lots. Thus, the new method fulfills the
requirement for an efficient, rapid, cost-effective and standardized method that allows comparisons among
laboratories and avoids human influence on the interpretation of the results. SVIS can be considered a
feasible option to be included in quality assurance programs of the bell pepper seed industry.