Características dos frutos e sementes, e potencial germinativo de genótipos de cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal)

Abstract

Cubiu is a species of the Solanaceae family that has several characteristics of interest to the region. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate characteristics of fruits and seeds, and the effects of pre-treatment with potassium nitrate (KNO3) on the germination and vigor of seeds of nine cubiu genotypes. Fruits were used at the stage of commercial maturation. For the characteristics of fruits and seeds, a completely randomized design (CRD), 9 treatments (genotypes) and 10 repetitions (fruits) were used. For germination, CRD was adopted, in a factorial scheme 9 (genotypes) x 2 (pre-treatments, without / with KNO3), with 4 replications of 50 seeds. Additionally, an emergency test was performed using CRD, with 9 treatments (genotypes) and 4 repetitions of 50 seeds. Related to fruits and seeds, the following were measured: length, diameter, mass, volume, density, number of locules, pulp thickness, soluble solids content, wet seed mass, dry seed mass, thousand-seed weight and number of seeds by fruit. In germination and emergence tests, it was evaluated: germination, formation of normal seedlings, emergence, germination speed index, normal seedlings and emergence, average germination time, normal seedlings and emergence. The nine genotypes of cubiu show different behaviors, both in relation to the characters of the fruits and seeds, as well as the germination and vigor of the seeds. The use of potassium nitrate (0,2%), in the initial moistening of the substrate, favors greater expression of the germinative potential and vigor of the seeds. Therefore, it is recommended as a pre-germinative treatment for cubiu seeds.