Termoterapia na germinação de Luffa cylindrica

Abstract

Sponge gourd cultivation provides quality and durable plant fiber, being economically linked to family farming. Its propagule is produced by seeds, which can serve as a vehicle for the spread of diseases. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological and sanitary quality of Luffa cylindrica seeds after application of thermotherapy via moist heat and dry heat. An 8x5 factorial scheme was used, with 4 treatments in moist heat at a constant temperature of 50 ºC: TU0 = only seed wetting, TU1= 10 minutes, TU2= 20 minutes and TU3= 30 minutes; and 3 treatments in dry heat at a constant temperature of 70 ºC: TS1= 24 hours, TS2= 48 hours and TS3= 76 hours, and the control T0, which did not receive any treatment. To determine the physiological quality of the seeds, the variables first germination count, last germination count, germination speed index, average germination time, partial dry matter of the shoot and partial dry matter of the roots were evaluated. Phytosanitary assessment of the seeds was carried out according to the degree of incidence. The treatments had little influence on the physiological quality of sensations. Seeds exposed to dry heat had a longer time interval for germination to begin. Dry heat treatment showed promise, as it has greater control over the incidence of fungi of the genus Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. compared to moist heat treatment.