Seed germination of capiçova

Abstract

Erechtites valerianaefolia DC. (Asteraceae) is a Brazilian wild herbaceous species with economic and nutritive potential due to its high content of vitamin A. The seeds were submitted to 22 treatments with 5 replications of 50 seeds each one, including stratification, scarification, different substrates, KNO₃, sodium hypochlorite, seeds with different ages, light and darkness, as well as combinations of these treatments, with the objective of evaluating its germination pattern under laboratory conditions. The seeds of capiçova are positively photoblastic and present higher germinability when collected during the winter season (April to September). The substrates, agar or filter paper, did not modify the germinability of the seeds. The use of KNO₃ stimulated seed germination and decreased the average germination time. Sodium hypochlorite inhibited germination of seeds in 24% and retarded the process almost three days in relation to the control treatment.