GERMINATION TEST IN SEEDS OF MELOTHRIA CAMPESTRIS (NAUDIN) H. SCHAEF. &amp; S.S. RENNER

Ana Carina Da Silva Cândido,Carlos Henrique Queiroz Rego,Tiago Roque Benetoli Da Silva,Josué Bispo Da Silva,Charline Zaratin Alves

doi:10.1590/1983-21252016v29n416rc

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Cerrado occupies 25% of the Brazilian territory and is the second largest biome in South America, second only to the Amazon Rainforest. Hence, studies on the native species of the Cerrado are important for implementing conservation strategies. In this context, knowledge of the requirements and conditions for germination of seeds of these native species is essential. The Cerrado watermelon (Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner) is a plant that is not cultivated, but has been used in revegetation projects in the countryside of the Cerrado because its fruits are fed upon by fauna in times of food shortage. The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate methodology for the germination of the Cerrado watermelon, by identifying the best-suited substrate, the optimal temperature, and the corresponding time taken for germination. The treatments consisted of four substrates: in a paper roll, on paper, in sand, and on sand; and four temperatures: 20, 25, and 30 °C (maintained constant), and a fourth temperature treatment that alternated 20-30 °C. The effect of the substrates and temperatures on seed performance was evaluated using the germination test, speed index, and average time for germination. The experimental design was fully randomized, with treatments distributed in a 4 × 4 (substrates × temperatures) factorial scheme, with four replications. Our results show that the temperature of 20 °C had a negative influence on germination in all substrates. Further, we found that the germination of the Cerrado watermelon seeds was best in a paper roll or on sand substrate, maintained at a constant temperature of 30 °C, or when temperature was alternated 20-30 °C, and the time required for germination stabilization was 30 days.

Highlights

Belonging to the Cucurbitaceous family, the Cerrado watermelon, known as the field watermelon, or the Cerrado little melon (Melothria campestris (Naudin) H
The two factors, substrate and temperature, influenced the germination of the Cerrado watermelon seeds, and we found a significant interaction between them (Table 1)
At the temperature of 20 °C, germination was impaired for all substrates, and was less than 20%

Summary

Introduction

Belonging to the Cucurbitaceous family, the Cerrado watermelon, known as the field watermelon, or the Cerrado little melon (Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. & S.S. Renner) is a wild fruit found in the entire Brazilian Cerrado (LORENZI et al, 2006). Renner) is a wild fruit found in the entire Brazilian Cerrado (LORENZI et al, 2006) It is a perennial herb; bearing fruits that are cylindrical, berrylike, with juicy sweet pulp, which ripen in the summer (LORENZI et al, 2006). Based on a new classification of the Cucurbitaceous family proposed by Schaefer and Renner (2011), Melancium campestre Naudin is classified as Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. S. Renner, and in this study, we follow this revised nomenclature

Objectives

Methods

Results