Different water volumes in the substrate and temperatures for germination of cabacinha seeds

Abstract

Cabacinha (Luffa operculata) is a species that has been used empirically in folk medicine against sinusitis. The fruits have important pharmaceutical substances and studies related to its germination are not available, justifying the determination of the appropriate conditions that make possible the germination of its seeds. Thus, we evaluated the influence of different volumes of water in substrate and temperatures on germination and vigor of cabacinha. The treatments consisted of moistened substrate with water volumes equal to 2.0; 2.5; 3.0 and 3.5 times its weight of the dry paper and the seeds were kept in germination regulated at constant temperatures of 25, 30 and 35°C and 20-30°C alternating. The percentage and speed of germination, hypocotyl and roots of the plants were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with treatments arranged in a 4x4 factorial (volumes of water x temperatures), in 4 replications of 25 seeds. The constant temperature of 30°C and the water volume of 2.0 times the weight of dry substrate is the best combination to lead the germination tests of cabacinha seeds.

Substrate moisture and temperature in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh germination

“…and observed that the highest substrate water volumes yielded the greatest seedling lengths. Araújo et al (2014) found that at 35 °C, the shoot length of Luffa operculata seedlings increased with substrate water volume. A temperature of 25 °C was most inhibitory to balsa tree (Ochroma pyramidale (Cav.…”

“…Studies on soybean seeds (Glycine max (L) Merr.) (JACINTO et al, 2014) and sponge cucumber seeds (Luffa operculata) (ARAÚJO et al, 2014) indicated that increasing the amount of water in the substrate signifi cantly reduced the germination percentage.…”

“…The fi rst count germination percentages of sponge cucumber (L. operculata) seeds were the highest at 20 °C to 30 °C and at 35 °C when treated with water volumes equivalent to 2.3 and 3.5 times the dry weight of the paper, respectively (ARAÚJO et al, 2014). The fi rst count germination of whitefl eshed pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus Haw.)…”

“…Araújo et al (2014) found that a water volume equivalent to twice the substrate dry weight and a temperature of 30 °C were the most conducive to germinating sponge cucumber (Luffa operculata (L.) Cong.) seeds.…”

Substrate moisture and temperature in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh germination

“…According to Andrade et al (2006), substrate temperature affects both the water absorption and metabolism involved in this process. Araújo et al (2014) found that a water volume equivalent to twice the substrate dry weight and a temperature of 30 °C were the most conducive to germinating sponge cucumber (Luffa operculata (L.) Cong.) seeds.…”