SEXUAL PROPAGATION OF 'PEQUI' (Caryocar brasilienseCamb.): EFFECT OF FRUITS PROCEDENCE AND GIBERELIC ACID ON THE EMERGENCE OF SEEDLINGS

Abstract

This research had as objective to evaluate the germination and emergence speed index (ESI) of pequi (C. brasiliense Camb.) from sexual propagation material (putamens and seeds) fromtwo sites, Porangatu and Faina, Goiás State, Brazil. Twelve treatments were evaluated (2x6 factorial), the two procedences being combined with six sowing methods: putamens (inner mesocarp and endocarp) immersed in water; putamen without pulp (inner mesocarp) immersed in water; seeds (almonds) immersed in water; putamens immersed in giberelic acid solution 10%; putamens without pulp immersed in giberelic acid solution; seeds (almonds) immersed in giberelic acid solution. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with four replications. The experiment took place in a screen-house at 50% shading. The observations were taken every 48 hours for 77 days from seed planting. It was not observed significant variation (p>0.05) between fruit origin in germination and ESI. Putamens with or without pulp and treated with giberelic acid resented satisfactory germination indexes, above 30%, and perior (p<0.05) to those immersed in water. For almonds, the reatments with giberelic acid and water immersion did not differ (p>0.05) in this characteristic. Besides, significant (p>0.05) effect of the treatments was not detected on plantules ESI.

KEY-WORDS: Pequi; GA3; giberelic acid; almond; native species.