LONGEVITY CAMU-CAMU SEEDS SUBMITTED TO DIFFERENT STORAGE ENVIRONMENT AND FORMS OF CONSERVATION

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (H. B. K.) McVaugh) contains great potential for ascorbic acid extraction, which has economic and social importance, with innumerable industrial applications. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different storage environment and forms of conservation for maintaining the viability of camu-camu seeds. The experimental design was randomized blocks design in split-split plot, with the following factors: storage conditions (natural, in water, in cold chamber 5 -10 degrees C), conservation form (seeds with pulp - CP, seeds without pulp - SP and seeds washed and treated - LT) and storage time (0, 2, 4 and 6 months). The evaluation criterion adopted was the protrusion of the primary root. The seeds SP and LT storage in water presented germination upper than 90%. The seeds CP and LT storage at 5 and 10 degrees C had germination upper than 89%. The storage in water and in natural condition did not affect the germination, being able to be storage in a period of six and four months respectively. The CP seeds storage in water had the shortest time of germination. The germination speed index increased with the period of storage and was larger for seeds storage in water for all the periods. The seeds with pulp presented minor germination speed index in the whole period of storage evaluated.