GERMINATION OF CHIA SEEDS IN DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES AND WATER VOLUMES

Emanoela Pereira De Paiva,Francisco Vanies Da Silva Sá,Jéssica Regiane De Oliveira Morais,Salvador Barros Torres,Moadir De Sousa Leite

doi:10.1590/1983-21252019v32n127rc

Emanoela Pereira De Paiva, Francisco Vanies Da Silva Sá + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252019v32n127rc

Copy DOI

Abstract

ABSTRACT Water availability and substrate type are essential factors in seed germination tests, influencing imbibition and seedling development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two substrates and different water volumes on the germination and vigor of chia seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 6 factorial scheme, which consisted of two substrates, paper towel (Germitest®) and blotting paper, soaked with six water volumes equivalent to 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 times their dry weight, in four replicates of 50 seeds each. Germination percentage, mean time of germination, shoot length, radicle length, shoot dry matter, radicle dry matter, total dry matter (seedling), and root/shoot ratio were evaluated. Based on our results, germination tests for seeds of chia should be conducted using blotting paper (on paper) as substrate, with a water volume of 2.5 to 4.0 times its dry weight. Chia seedlings grown on blotting paper showed greater growth and dry matter accumulation compared to those grown on paper towel.

Highlights

Salvia hispanica L., known as chia, is a herb species belonging to the Lamiaceae family
Germination percentage and mean time of germination were influenced by the substrates, and seeds germinated on blotting paper had higher percentages of germination in a shorter time compared to those on the paper towel (Germitest®), suggesting that blotting paper was more appropriate for the germination of chia seeds (Figure. 1A and B)
Similar results have been reported by Azeredo et al (2010), who observed that blotting paper as substrate favored the germination of cabbage seeds in comparison with paper towel

Summary

Introduction

Salvia hispanica L., known as chia, is a herb species belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Despite the economic and dietary importance of this species, there are still few studies on its agronomic aspects, especially in regard to seed technology. Determining the appropriate conditions for the germination of seeds of a certain species is important due to the divergence of responses that may occur under the influence of several factors, such as dormancy, substrate, water volume, light, temperature, and oxygen. In seed analysis, knowledge on the ideal conditions for germination is extremely important for the standardization of tests in different laboratories, avoiding discrepancies between results (CARVALHO; NAKAGAWA, 2012; MARCOS FILHO, 2015). Among the factors affecting seed germination, substrate and water availability stand out because of their direct influence. An appropriate substrate must be used to provide sufficient amounts of water for soaking the seeds, besides serving as a support for germinated seedlings (SCHMIDT, 2007). The choice of the substrate type should take into account the size of the seed, its requirement in terms of water, light sensitivity, and substrate for the development and evaluation of seedlings (BRASIL, 2009)

Objectives

Methods

Results