Germination and vigor of Encholirium spectabile seeds according to geographical region, substrate and sowing position

Abstract

Given the potential for commercial exploitation of E. spectabile and aiming to curb predatory extractivism, the development of researches that guide its cultivation becomes relevant. This study aims to evaluate the effects of different substrates and seed positions at sowing on the germination and vigor of seeds from two geographical regions. The experiment design was completely randomized in a 2 x 4 x 2 factorial design (seeds from two geographic regions: i.e., Serra Talhada-PE and Graça-CE, both in Brazil; four substrates: blotting paper, sand, vermiculite and coconut fiber: and two sowing positions: over and in between the substrate). Sowing on blotting paper, sand, vermiculite and coconut fiber, in general, was favorable to germination and germination speed index for seeds from both geographic regions. Sowing in between coconut fiber was detrimental to germination and root development regardless of the seed geographical region. However, sowing in between and over coconut fiber and in between sand favored shoot growth. The best combinations for dry matter production were sowing over paper and sand. The substrates blotting paper, sand, coconut fiber and vermiculite are favorable to E. spectabile seed germination regardless of geographic regions, provided that the sowing is made over the substrates.

Influência da procedência geográfica sobre o vigor de sementes de Encholirium spectabile Mart. ex Schult. & Schult. f. - bromeliaceae endêmica da região Nordeste do Brasil

“…E apesar das sementes apresentarem elevada germinação, o seu estabelecimento por meio da reprodução sexuada é relativamente baixo (FIGUEIREDO et al, 2014). Além do mais, a espécie E. spectabile tem sido objeto de estudos para fins farmacêuticos, comésticos e alimentícios, o que respalda ainda mais a importância de conhecer sobre a germinação e viabilidade das sementes (ARAÚJO et al, 2020).…”

Beet production using vermiculite incorporated with Dystrophic Red Latosol (Oxisol)

“…Vermiculite is a hydrated silicate mineral, containing varying amounts of iron, magnesium, potassium, and aluminum (Castro et al, 2011;Gooch, 2011), which can be used in adsorption of heavy metals due to its surface characteristics (Chui, 2005;França et al, 2006). The main applications of vermiculite in agriculture are as a substrate for plants (Curbelo, 2002), and as a seed germinator for many plant species (Vidigal et al, 2007;Araújo et al, 2020;Ferraz et al, 2020). In Brazil, the use of vermiculite in agriculture is still limited, and the suppliers are restricted to companies in the industrial and construction sectors (Ugarte et al, 2005).…”