The evaluation of the physiological quality of seeds is an important aspect in weed control. The viability of Euphorbia heterophylla seeds resistant and susceptible to herbicides stored for 14 months was verified using germination and tetrazolium tests. Germination was analyzed in the absence and presence of light at constant temperature (25 ºC). For the tetrazolium test, seeds were longitudinally and diagonally sectioned, placed in Petri plates containing tetrazolium solution at 1%, wrapped in aluminum foil and maintained at 30 ºC in a dark chamber for 18 hours. Resistant and susceptible biotypes of E. heterophylla did not differ statistically in both tests. Seeds were maintained viable during the storage period. The average viability of the seeds submitted to the tetrazolium test was higher than that of the germination tests, suggesting that, despite viability, E. heterophylla seeds present dormancy when stored for 14 months.
dormancy; Euphorbiaceae; germination; weed; resistance; tetrazolium
