Seed Technology of Myrcianthes pungens (Berg) Legr: An Approach to Biometry and Germination

Abstract

Myrcianthes pungens, native fruit with medicinal, ornamental and ecological potential, lacks information on biometry and technology for seed germination. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the fruits and seeds of M. pungens, determining the appropriate substrate for laboratory tests, as well as to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) on the germination of the species. In the biometry, the mensuration of the fruits and seeds was made with the aid of a digital caliper. In the laboratory, three substrates (between filter paper, between vermiculite and between sand) were used, with five concentrations of GA3 (0; 125; 250; 375 and 500 mg L-1) and the tests were conducted in a germination chamber. The percentage of germination, hard seeds, germination speed index and seedling length root and shoot were evaluated. The average fruit length and width were 17.38 and 16.05 mm, respectively. The fruits presented one or two seeds with 8.10; 9.56 and 6.49 mm in length, width and thickness. The germination test is more efficient between fine sand, and vermiculite may also be used. The wetting of the substrate with gibberellin in the concentration of 125 to 274 mg L-1 optimizes the percentage and speed of germination.