PRE-GERMINATIVE TREATMENTS IN POMEGRANATE SEEDS (Punica granatum L.):EFFECT ON PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different removal methods of sarcotesta and their effects on the physiological quality of the seeds. We applied the following treatments: T1 - friction in coarse sand on a sieve; T2 and T3 - immersion in sulfuric acid (98%) for 30 minutes and washing in water, with and without a vernalization for 48 hours in a refrigerator at 4 °C, respectively; T4 and T5 - natural fermentation for 72 hours, with seeds submitted and not submitted to drying in shade for seven days; and T6 - seeds with intact sarcotesta as control. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design. For the analysis of the viability and vigor, we used the germination test, germination on first count, germination speed index, accelerated aging, emergence test, emergence speed index, number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, and root length. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test. Seeds submitted to fermentation showed the highest germination and emergence values. However, it was not statistically different from the control, probably due to the sensitivity to desiccation or seed dormancy, which was shown in the accelerated aging test.

Keywords

• Pomegranate Tree
• Sarcotesta
• Dormancy
• Physiology