TRATAMENTOS PARA SUPERAR A DORMÊNCIA DE SEMENTES DE Luffa operculata (L.) Cogniaux

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of different treatments to overcome dormancy of Luffa operculata seeds. The tests were conducted at the Laboratory of Seed Analyzes of the Federal Univer-sity of Paraíba, in the city of Areia-PB. The seeds of L. operculata were submitted to scarification treatments with sandpaper, cutting with scissors, imbibition in cold water, immersion in hot water and immersion in sulfu-ric acid. In evaluating the effect of treatment, was determined percentage, first count and germination index speed as well as length and dry mass of roots and hypocotyl. The mechanical scarification with sandpaper and cutting with scissors with or without imbibition in cold water for 12 hours are recommended for overcoming dormancy of L. operculata seeds.