Several components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed quality were evaluated during the 1983/84 and 84/85 crop years, at two Experimental Stations of the Instituto Agronômico, São Paulo, Brazil. Seeds of the 'IAC-Anhandy' were collected from the central, middle and external parts of the heads, harvested at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after flowering (D.A.F.). The percentage of empty seeds was high in the samples harvested at 10 D.A.F. but it decreased sharply as seed maturity progressed, with values as low as 5.2, 2.2 and 2.6% for the central, middle and external parts of the heads at 40 D.A.F. The seed oil content varied markedly from 2.2% at 10 D.A.F. to the maximum of 46.6% at 30 D.A.F. Also, the seed viability indices (% germination + % dormancy) were maximum at 30 D.A.F. with values close to 100% and seed dormancy above 90%. Differences in seed germination and dormancy among the sunflower head parts (central, middle and external) were not observed at 20, 30 and 40 D.A.F. After six months of storage under noncontrolled conditions, seed dormancy was released in all treatments. Nevertheless, under these conditions, samples harvested at 10 D.A.F. were completely deteriorated after 12 months and those harvested at 20, 30 and 40 D.A.F. remained well preserved showing germination indices as high as 80% even after 24 months of storage.
sunflower; Helianthus annuus L; seeds; maturation; quality; storage