Yellow passion fruit tree sexual propagation by different mucilage extraction methods and substrates

The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial development of yellow passion fruit, as a function of the method of extracting the mucilage of the seeds (washing in water, fermentation in water and fermentation in water + sugar) and substrates (carbonized rice husk, coconut fiber and vermiculite). The completely randomized design with nine treatments and five replicates, with 50 seeds was used, in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (three mucilage extraction methods and three types of substrates). After 56 days of sowing, the following variables were evaluated seedling emergence percentage, number of leaves, leaf area, stem length and root largest length, dry mass of shoot and roots; and substrates characteristics such as pH, electric conductivity, density and water retention capacity. The emergence speed index was evaluated daily from sowing. It is verified that, except for the number of leaves and the shoot dry matter mass, the other variables were influenced by the study factors. In general, in the seeds without fermentation and fermentation in water mixed with sugar, the highest averages were obtained, regardless of the substrate used. Thus, both mucilage extraction methods and all tested substrates are indicated in the initial development of yellow passion fruit.