PRE-GERMINATIVE TREATMENTS IN ARACA-BOI SEEDS (Eugenia stipitata ssp sororia McVaugh) - MYRTACEAE

The araca-boi (Eugenia stipitata) is a native fruit tree with high agribusiness potential. its seeds are intolerant of desiccation and present dormancy, which makes more difficult propagation. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of araca-boi seed germination with three pre-treatments to enhance germination: partial tegument removal, leaching and fractionation. The germination of intact seeds and seeds with partial tegument removal was done in two environments: greenhouse and screened nursery (50%). For leaching, the seeds were placed in a bucket and subjected to leaching in running water (hose nozzle at the bottom of the bucket) for up to 90 days, with intervals of 10 days. The fractionation of seeds was performed according to the meristematic zone position of root and shoot protrusion (transverse and longitudinal fractionation). The partial tegument removal from the araca-boi seeds decreased the period of germination from 91 to 48 days with 100% of emergence. The seeds of araca-boi submerged in water for 50 days, maintains the viability and vigor. The fractioned seeds cut at the meristematic protuberance make normal seedlings, with the same characteristics of intact seed germination, but the other types of fractionation didn't speed up or make the seeds germinated uniformly.