Dormancia en semillas de papaya cv Maradol Roja durante el almacenamiento.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determinethe effect of humidity content of papaya cv MaradolRoja and storage temperatura on dormany. The work wasconducted at the Laboratorio Nacional de Semillas, EmpresaProductora y Comercializadora de Semillas, La Habana,Cuba, from November 2006 to January 2008. Seeds wereextracted from papaya fruits cv Maradol Roja and driedto three humidiy contents (12%, 10,56% y 9,26%), andaconditioned in polyiethylene bags and stored at 15oC and4oC. Percentaje of seed germination, heigth and fresh weightof the seedlings were measured at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months instorage. There was a trend towards reduced seed germinationduring the fi rst 6 months in storage (55,6%). After 9 and12 months a signifi cant incresase in germination wasobserved, independent of seed water content. Seeds storedin environment at 15oC favored germination after longersotrage compared to seeds kept in storage for shorter periods(3 months). Seed dormany concluded between 9 and 12months in storage irrespective of seed water content.