Evaluation of seed germination of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) submitted to different dormancy breaking methods

Abstract

The main form of propagation for passion fruit is through seeds, however, these have problems of physical dormancy that delay the germination process. The present work evaluated the germination rate of sour passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) seeds when submitted to conventional treatments to break dormancy. Treatments of mechanical scarification, acid scarification, thermal stratification, hydro conditioning and control were carried out. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with 6 treatments and 8 treatments in each one. The germination method was adopted on germitest paper in a BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) incubator at a temperature of 24°C, suitable for the species according to RAS (Rules for seed analysis). The variables of germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI), average germination time (AGT) and average germination speed (AGS) were analyzed. Analyzes were performed every other day for a period of 26 days after the start of the trial. With the exception of the heat treatment, the others positively influenced the germination of the species. It is concluded that, despite physical dormancy being a characteristic present in passion fruit seeds, it can be overcome through conventional treatments.