Physiological seed quality in cultivars of the carioca bean produced in the North of São Paulo and kept under storage

New bean cultivars, in addition to having high productivity, should meet requirements regarding the physiological attributes of the seeds, maintaining them during storage, minimising their deterioration and guaranteeing the producer a crop that is quickly and uniformly established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological attributes of the seeds of thirteen bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from the carioca commercial group, produced during the winterspring harvest in the North of the state of São Paulo, at two different times: after harvest and during the eighth month of storage. The experimental design was completely randomised, in a 13 x 2 factorial scheme with four replications. The factors corresponded to the 13 carioca bean cultivars (Pérola, BRSMG Majestoso, BRS Estilo, BRSMG Madrepérola, IPR Campos Gerais, IPR Tangará, IPR Andorinha, IPR 139, IAC Imperador, IAC Formoso, IAC Alvorada, IAC Milênio and Bola Cheia) and two periods of evaluation (0: after harvest and 8: eight months after harvest). Each of the cultivars under study displayed physiological qualities that were within the required standards after harvest. The BRS Estilo, BRSMG Madrepérola, BRSMG Majestoso, IAC Imperador and IPR Andorinha cultivars maintain germination within these standards after eight months of storage. The seeds of the IAC Imperador cultivar show greater vigour than those of the other cultivars when produced during the winter-spring harvest in the North of the state of São Paulo.