MAGNETIC FIELD AND GIBBERELIC ACID AS PRE-GERMINATION TREATMENTS OF PASSION FRUIT SEEDS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-germination treatments (magneto-priming and immersion of seeds in gibberellic acid solution) on variables associated with germination, emergence and vigor of Passiflora edulis seeds ‘BRS Gigante Amarelo’ cultivar. Seeds were extracted from fruits, washed, immersed for 6 hours in solutions with different GA3 concentrations and later arranged in a circular form in Petri dishes at temperature of 25°C, with and without exposure to magnetic field. Subsequently, analyses associated with the germination and emergency test were carried out. The experimental design was completely randomized design, with 3x2 factorial, three GA3 concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L-1) and presence/absence of magnetic field (MF), with four replicates of 20 seeds each. Variables germination percentage, germination speed index, mean germination time, percentage of emerged seedlings, emergence speed index, shoot length and root length and seedling dry weight were evaluated. Results indicate that the exposure of passion fruit seeds to MF in an isolated way stimulates seed germination, emergence and vigor, being an alternative to conventional treatments based on chemical substances.