Dormancy and evaluation of the physical-physiological quality in sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] seeds by image analysis

Abstract: For the germination of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) seeds to occur, it is necessary to overcome dormancy, which makes it difficult to assess their physiological potential. The aim of this research was to define a methodology to overcome the dormancy of sweet potato seeds and use image analysis to determine their physical and physiological quality. Four genotypes of sweet potato seeds were used, namely UFVJM-5, UFVJM-22, UFVJM-38 and UFVJM-65. To overcome dormancy, chemical scarification with 98% H2SO4 for 10 and 20 minutes, hot water at 95 °C for 10 and 20 minutes, and mechanical scarification with electric grinder were tested. To evaluate the physical quality, the seeds were analyzed with X-rays and classified as intact, empty and malformed seeds. Using the GroundEye® system, the characteristics of color dominance, seed geometry and seedling length were quantified. Treatments with mechanical scarification with grinder and 98% sulfuric acid, for an immersion period of 20 minutes, are efficient to break dormancy in sweet potato seeds. There are genetic divergences between sweet potato genotypes, promoting the formation of different groups. The characteristics of color and geometry of the seeds are the ones that most contribute to genetic diversity of genotypes.