Seed germination of yellow passion fruit imbibition in solutions in three substrates

Abstract

The propagation of passion fruit is done through sexual way, however, there is a genetic variability in orchards, as well as germination is slow and variable. Thus, it is recommended to use plant growthThus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the passion fruit seeds emergence in gibberellic acid and substrates. The experiment was conducted in Unioeste between May and June/2014. We used commercial seeds of passion fruit. For the germination tests were used three substrates being germitest paper, vermiculite and sand. The substrates were sterilized in an autoclave, and deposited in Gerbox^® box sterilized with 70% alcohol. Thereafter the seeds were soaked for 10 seconds in a solution containing 500 mg L^-1 of gibberellic acid (GA₃), and/or distilled water. After the treatments, the seeds were kept in germination BOD, with 2 ºC without photoperiod control. Under these conditions, the seeds remained for 30 days, conducting daily counts of the number of germinated, thereby determining whether to germination percentage, overall germination and emergence speed index. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 3x2, with four replicates and 25 seeds per repetition. The use of gibberellic acid imbibition increased germination rate as well as the total percentage of germination. The use of AG₃ along with germitest paper and vermiculite substrates provided better germination of passion fruit seeds.