Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Physical and physiological parameters of niger [Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass] seed development: ensuring high quality seed harvest
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
da Rocha Leilaine Gomes, da Silva Daynara Martins, de Araújo Rafaela Martins, Masetto Tathiana Elisa
Research Articles | Published: 15 June, 2026
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Keywords: Asteraceae, Cypselas, Oilseed, Seed maturation
Abstract
Niger is an oilseed crop with advantageous attributes as a cover crop and forage crop. Seed quality is pivotal for increasing agricultural sustainability, and timely harvesting is essential for the production system of niger seeds. This study aimed to assess the physical characteristics of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) and to relate the parameters obtained with the physiological quality of the seeds harvested at different developmental stages. During the growth of the crop from April to July in 2022 and 2023, seeds were collected to determine the stage of maturation based on the period after anthesis. At 7-day intervals, seeds were extracted from capitula, and physical characteristics such as length, thickness, width, fresh and dry matter mass, moisture content, and germination dynamics throughout seed development were investigated. Physical and physiological analysis revealed that timely harvesting is essential for increasing quality and yield for Niger seeds. Early in development (7 DAA), seeds acquire the ability to germinate and form complete seedlings; throughout development, this ability is improved, and is increased in a positive way in the percentage and speed of germination. At 28 and 35 days after anthesis, the seeds showed 35 and 40% normal seedlings, respectively. By 35 days after anthesis (DAA), the seeds were mature with marked accumulation of dry mass of seeds. At this time, seeds had a length of 0.45 cm, a width of 0.10 cm, and a thickness of 0.11 cm. These findings aid in determining suitable harvest timing guidelines for seed producers. During development, dormancy is not a characteristic imposed on seeds, since germination speed parameters were always progressive. Besides, the pericarp is water-permeable since the beginning of development.
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Author Information
Federal University of Grande Dourados–Faculty of Agrarian Sciences-Dourados-Itahum, Dourados, Brazil