Abstract Orchids are affected by several factors that impair their spreading, which is necessary to know the viability of their seeds. The aim of this research was to determine the most suitable preconditioning treatment to potentiate the tetrazolium test in Epidendrum barbaricum seeds. Initially, the mature capsules were collected near the city of Pasto in the Department of Narino (Colombia), and seeds were obtained. Subsequently, the seeds were submitted to four pretreatments: immersion in distilled water, 1% hypochlorite, 10% alcohol and 10% sucrose. Seeds were then rinsed with distilled water and exposed to two concentrations of 2,3,5-trifenyl tetrazolium chloride (0.25%, 1%) and different exposure times (6, 12, 24, and 48 hours). To perform the tests,... |