Physiological and phytosanitary quality of common bean seeds used by small growers in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

The physiological and phytosanitary qualities of common bean seeds used on a small farming system depend on the cultural practices, drying system and storage conditions employed. The objective of this work was to evaluate eight lots of common bean seeds using germination, vigor and phytosanitary tests. The lots were produced in 2005 and 2006 in “Zona da Mata”, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, and analyzed for moisture content, germination quality, first germination count, seedling vigor, seedling emergence, electric conductivity, seedling dry weight, seedling length, hypochlorite test and blotter test. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. The mean seed moisture content from all lots was 8.4 %. Four lots were classified as high vigor, one as intermediate vigor and three lots as low vigor. The first germination count and electrical conductivity tests were the best for evaluating bean seed physiological quality. All seed lots were infested by fungi, mainly Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium.