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Abstract
This work evaluates the influence of storage and scarification in the germination of Passiflora caerulea L., in order to acquire the necessary knowledge to cultivate this economically important species. Seeds stored one month under different conditions (no storage, fermentation, desiccation) were submitted to various pre‐treatments (aril removal, mechanical and chemical scarification or combinations of these). Emergence was recorded periodically for 11 months in a greenhouse. Germination time, germination percentage and germination speed were calculated. Histochemical tests were applied to seeds maintained under the three storage conditions, for observing possible changes in the integument and storage tissue. Viability was maintained at least for the storage period tested, as germination occurred after that time. Because the seeds stored under desiccation germinated, the species is orthodox. Chemical scarification prevented germination in most cases. Although germination levels were low, they were higher in stored seeds (fermented and desiccated) than in fresh ones. Fermented seeds (which exhibited no storage tissue and less lignin in the integument) devoid of the aril germinated earlier, faster and in greater quantity. The type of dormancy of this species is discussed.
Acknowledgements
We greatly thank Dr. Beatriz Galati for help with the histological sections and advice with the histochemical tests. We thank Lic. Verónica Rodríguez for helpful comments on the manuscript. This work was financed with the grants X 823 from UBACyT and PIP 5698 from CONICET. The authors belong to CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas).
