Early seed collection may contribute to decrease its deterioration rate preserving physiological quality. Seed formation in arnica (Lychnophora pinaster Mart.), takes place throughout the fructification period. As arnica plant is of medicinal importance and is under threaten there is a need of monitoring seed quality during storage to guarantee reproduction and perpetuation of the species. This work was performed with the objective of verifying germination performance of arnica seeds collected at two maturation stages and stored at different conditions. The seeds used in this study were collected in December 2003 at Itumirim, State of Minas Gerais-Brazil at two maturation stage. After collection, the seeds were dried, cleaned and separated with a vertical blower. The seeds were placed in two types of packing (paper and plastic) and stored under different atmospheres (cold chamber 10ºC/50%RH and room temperature), during 6 months. The germination test was performed in incubator (BOD) at alternate temperature (20-30ºC) and photoperiod of 12 hours. The substrate used was paper towel and the seeds were placed in gerbox. Four replication of 100 seeds for each treatment were used. The sanitary quality of the seed was performed by "Blotter test" with 4 replications of 50 seeds for each treatment. Moisture content, sanitary quality and physiological quality were evaluated during 0, 2, 4 and 6 months. There was not significant differences among the four storage conditions and, under these conditions, arnica seeds can be stored by a period of six months. There was an increase in the germination along the storage period.
Seed; medicinal plant; maturation
