Physiological quality of ‘BRS’ passion fruit seeds grown at different altitudes and storage environments

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the physiological quality of ‘BRS’ passion fruit seeds grown at different altitudes stored in cold chamber and in natural environment for six months.  Hybrid passion fruit seeds (BRS Gigante Amarelo, BRS Sol do Cerrado and BRS Rubi do Cerrado) grown at three altitudes (104; 711; 1016 meters) in the southern region of the state of Espírito Santo were used. Germination was carried out in germitest paper rolls, placed in BOD-type germination chambers at temperature of 20-30 ºC. The following parameters were analyzed: germination, germination speed index, shoot and root length and dry mass of seedlings. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a factorial scheme with split plot in time 4x(3x3) (four bimonthly analyses x three hybrids x three altitudes), with two independent storage environments and three replicates of 100 seeds. Hybrid Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa seeds can be stored in natural environment or cold chamber. Hybrid yellow passion fruit seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters show higher germination and vigor percentages. Hybrid ‘Gigante Amarelo’ seeds had lower averages for variables under study, regardless of altitude. Hybrid ‘Rubi do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitude of 1016 meters and hybrid ‘Sol do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters have higher germination and vigor percentages and can be stored for 180 days in natural environment or cold chamber without viability loss. Flavicarpa can be stored in natural environment or cold chamber. Hybrid yellow passion fruit seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters show higher germination and vigor percentages. Hybrid ‘Gigante Amarelo’ seeds had lower averages for variables under study, regardless of altitude. Hybrid ‘Rubi do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitude of 1016 meters and hybrid ‘Sol do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters have higher germination and vigor percentages and can be stored for 180 days in natural environment or cold chamber without viability loss. Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa can be stored in natural environment or cold chamber. Hybrid yellow passion fruit seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters show higher germination and vigor percentages. Hybrid ‘Gigante Amarelo’ seeds had lower averages for variables under study, regardless of altitude. Hybrid ‘Rubi do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitude of 1016 meters and hybrid ‘Sol do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters have higher germination and vigor percentages and can be stored for 180 days in natural environment or cold chamber without viability loss. Hybrid ‘Gigante Amarelo’ seeds had lower averages for variables under study, regardless of altitude. Hybrid ‘Rubi do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitude of 1016 meters and hybrid ‘Sol do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters have higher germination and vigor percentages and can be stored for 180 days in natural environment or cold chamber without viability loss.  Hybrid ‘Gigante Amarelo’ seeds had lower averages for variables under study, regardless of altitude. Hybrid ‘Rubi do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitude of 1016 meters and hybrid ‘Sol do Cerrado’ seeds grown at altitudes of 104 and 711 meters have higher germination and vigor percentages and can be stored for 180 days in natural environment or cold chamber without viability loss.