Obtain pumpkin seeds with high physiological quality is critical for the domestic seed production in terms of competitiveness with imported seeds. One technique that has recently been used to elucidate the various aspects of seed performance is the analysis of images, including those obtained through X-ray. This technique involves X-ray images of seeds to evaluate the internal morphology and to establish the relationship with the seed performance. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether the X-ray technique may help to detect internal abnormalities and to assess the quality of pumpkin seeds. 'Brasileirinha' pumpkin fruits were harvested at different maturation stages (30, 40, 50 and 60 days after anthesis). In each stage, seeds were extracted either immediately after harvesting or after 15 days of fruit storage. In the X-ray test, seeds were subjected to an intensity of 25 kV for 40 seconds and then a germination test was carried out at alternate temperatures (20-30°C). The first count was held after four days and the last reading after eight days, computing the percentages of normal and abnormal seedlings and dead seeds. After obtaining the results of the germination test, a comparison of results was done with the images of the internal morphology of each seed, obtained by means of X-ray. The use of X-ray technique is effective in detecting malformed and empty pumpkin seeds and these negatively affect germination.
Cucurbita moschata; maturation; X-rays; germination
