EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TREATMENTS ON DORMANCY OF Syagrus oleraces Becc PALM SEEDS

Abstract

The Guariroba Palm (Syagrus oleraces Becc) is the only species known as producer of bitter palm heart, which is very appreciated in Goiânia cooking and can also be used in animal feeding and landscaping; however, it is little studied. The slow and uneven germination of seeds cause problems in the propagation of this species, thus complicating mainly the seedling production at a commercial scale. This study evaluated different treatments to reduce the dormancy state and consequently to speed up the germination period of guariroba palm seeds and looking for techniques of easy comprehension and application by small farmers. The experimental design was in completely randomized blocks with three replications in a 2 x 7 factorial arrangement; i.e, two levels for type of seeds (pulped and not pulped) an seven different methods of seed treatment. In the second stage, the interference of coleobroca in the seed germination was quantified by counting the number of attacked seeds after seedling germination. The observed results showed that treatments under low temperatures caused a significant decrease in seed germination of guariroba and that non pulped seeds reduced the time required for germination. It was also evidenced that reducing humidity to 8% does not affect the germination of guariroba seeds and that the water absorption by the seeds was influenced directly by the time of immersion in the water glass, independently of pulp presence. The studied treatments were not effective in reduccing coleobroca attack.