BIOSTIMULANT AND IMBIBITION TIMES ON PASSION FRUIT (Passiflora edulis S., Passifloraceae) SEED GERMINATION

Abstract

Background: Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis S.) is a tropical fruit of socio-economic interest in Peru, used as an ingredient in the food industry, esthetics and medicine. However, this crop has a low germination power, so it is necessary to carry out pre-germination treatments to increase the germination percentage and the initial development of the seedlings. Objective: to evaluate the effect of different biostimulants at 12 h and 24 h of hydration on passion fruit seed germination. Methodology: passion fruit seeds of large and round fruits, free of pathogens, were collected. The aryl-free seeds were treated: T0 (distilled water), T1 (sulfur 25 g/10 L), T2 (sulfur 50 g/10 L), T3 (biol 3%), T4 (biol 5%), T5 (cinnamon 25%), T6 (cinnamon 50%), T7 (buttermilk 25%) and T8 (buttermilk 50%) for 12 h and 24 h imbibition. The variables evaluated were: water absorbed, imbibition rate (IR), germination percentage (GP), germination speed (GS), germination index (GI), first day of germination (FDG). Results: The highest water absorption occurred in the first 9 hours. Treatments T4, T5 and T6 significantly improved the GP, GS, GI, FDG at 12 h imbibition. However, at 24 h imbibition these values decreased. GP presented a high positive correlation with GS and GI. Likewise, GS presented a high negative correlation with FDG. Implications: The use of biostimulants increases germination. Conclusions: Cinnamon extract at 25% and 50%, and biol 5% at 12 h of imbibition have significantly improved the variables evaluated compared to imbibition at 24 h. The positive correlation between the variables indicates a direct relationship between them.