Physiological quality of parsley seeds in relation to doses of nitrogen and potassium

Parsley seeds [Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman ex AW Hill] must have germinations higher than 70%. But seed companies have found difficulties to get the minimum standards of germination established for this species, because of the slow and irregular germination after harvesting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilization on the physiological quality of parsley seeds. The experiment was conducted in Bozano – RS. Factorial arrangement was 3x3 (3 doses of N and 3 doses of K2O). Increasing doses of potassium (0, 50 and 100 kg ha-1 of K2O) and nitrogen (0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1 of N) were applied. For the evaluation of the physiological quality of the lots in laboratory, a completely randomized design experiment was performed with the following tests: 1,000-seed weight, standard germination test, first-count germination, germination speed index, and electrical conductivity. Nitrogen and potassium coverage interfere with the physiological quality of parsley seeds. The best lots were obtained using the dose of 100 kg ha-1 nitrogen and 50 kg ha-1 potassium. Dosage of 200 kg ha-1 N will increase vigor and seed weight.