Overcoming seed dormancy in Bacurizinho (Rheedia brasiliensis)

Abstract

The Bacurizinho (Rheedia brasiliensis) is commonly propagated by seed, though with slow and irregular germination. Therefore, this study evaluated pre-germination treatments to overcome dormancy in seeds of species by means of two experiments: I - intact seeds, full removal of the seed coat, cut the end of the seeds in the hilar region, cutting the seeds on the opposite end to the hilar region, cutting the two ends of the seeds II - seeds without testa; removal of the seed coat at the end of the hilum; removal of the seed coat at the end opposite to the hilum, seed coat removal at both ends of seeds; sectioning of seeds in half. In the first experiment, the seeds without testa showed superior performance in percentage (97.5%), speed (3.412) and the mean emergence time (32.7 days), and length (16.3 cm), the matter Fresh (0.904 g) and dried (0.350 g) seedling. In the second experiment, treatment with seeds without testa at both ends was what stood out the most in percentage (98.8%), speed (3,130) and mean emergence time (32.5 days) and in length ( 16.5 cm), fresh weight (1,031 g) and dried (0.328 g) seedling. The seeds have cutaneous numbness, which can be overcome by partial or total removal of the testa (seed coat removal at both ends of the seed).