Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate pitaya seed germination under different hydrogen potentials, with or without fungicide treatment. A completely randomized design was employed under a 3 x 13 x 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to three pitaya species (white pitaya, pitaya hybrid I, pitaya hybrid II), thirteen hydrogen potentials (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0) and two fungicide conditions (presence and absence), with four replications. The percentage of germination, germination speed index and mean germination time were evaluated. The data were subjected to ANOVA, and the means were compared using the Scott-Knott test (p < 0.05). The pH influenced the germination speed index in white pitaya. The mean germination time was affected by the pH levels for white pitaya and pitaya hybrid II. The fungicide did not increase the germination percentage in the evaluated species.
Highlights
The family Cactaceae consists of approximately 200 genera and 2000 species, found mainly in semi-desert areas in warm regions of Latin America (ARRUDA et al, 2005)
Seeds were obtained from ripe fruit of parent plants of Hylocereus undatus and the hybrids H. undatus x H. costaricensis and H. costaricensis x H. undatus, cultivated in the experimental area of the Agronomy Department
Significant differences were observed for the germination percentage (%G) in the species and fungicide interaction factors
Summary
The family Cactaceae (eudicotiledonea) consists of approximately 200 genera and 2000 species, found mainly in semi-desert areas in warm regions of Latin America (ARRUDA et al, 2005). Pitaya, which means scale fruit, is the name for both the cactus plant and its fruit which are grouped into four genera: Stenocereus Briton and Rose, Cereus Mill., Selenicereus Berger) Riccob and Hylocereus Britton and Rose, which is considered by some researchers as the most beautiful member of this family (LE BELLEC et al, 2006; ZEE et al, 2004). Pitayas are native to tropical and subtropical America and belong to the group of fruit trees considered promising for cultivation. Pitayas were little known, but they occupy a growing niche in the exotic fruit market (LE BELLEC et al, 2006) and are sought for not. Agronomy only for their exotic appearance and for their organoleptic characteristics (ANDRADE et al, 2008a; SILVA et al, 2006).
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