VIABILITY OF Malpighia punicifolia DC. SEEDS AS INFLUENCED BY TEMPERATURE, SUBSTRATE AND FRUITS COLORATION

Abstract

This research has evaluated the effect of temperature and substrate on the viability of acerola seeds under laboratory conditions (first experiment), and the effect of substrates and fruit coloration on the emergence of acerola seedlings in seed beds (second experiment). The experiments were carried out at the seed analysis laboratory of seed analysis at Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB/CCA), in Areia, Paraíba, Brazil, in 1994. In the first trial, fruits of reddish coloration were used, and their endocarps were soaked in water, at room temperature, for 48 hours. After this period, they were placed to germinate in gerbox in the germinator, using the following substrates: germitest paper, sand, and vermiculite, at temperatures between 25C and 30C. The evaluated characteristics were germination percentage and germination speed index. The experimental designs were a factorial 3 x 2 (first experiment) and a factorial 4 x 2 (second experiment), both completely randomized. In the second experiment, fruits of reddish coloration as well as fruits of greenyellowish coloration were used, and the same previous procedure was adopted. The following substrates were used: vermiculite, sand, sand + cow manure (3:1), and forest litter + cow manure (3:1). The characteristics evaluated were emergence percentage and emergence speed index. The use of germitest towel-paper at temperatures between 25C and 30C, under laboratory conditions, and use of sand with or without cow manure in seed beds, both making use of seeds from reddish colored fruits in seed beds, originated more vigorous acerola seedlings.

KEY-WORDS: Fruit; germination; vigor.