Overcoming seed dormancy of Bromelia balansae (Bromeliaceae)

The effects of temperature and substrates and different methods to overcome dormancy of Bromelia balansae (caraguata) seeds were evaluated. The fruits were collected on Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications of 50 seeds for each sample. On the first experiment the seeds were submitted to six treatments: a) 25 degrees C and over the paper, b) 30 degrees C and over the paper, c) 25 degrees C and between papers, d) 35 degrees C and between papers, e) alternating 25/30 degrees C and over the paper f) alternating 25/30 degrees C and between papers. On the second experiment we evaluated a) immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid PA (98%) during 60 minutes, b) immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid PA (98%) during 15 minutes, c) immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid PA (98%) during 5 minutes, d) mechanical scarification with no 80 sandpaper, e) control. On the third experiment we evaluated a) sulfuric acid PA (98%) for 1 minute; b) sulfuric acid PA (98%) for 3 minutes; c) sulfuric acid PA (98%) for 5 minutes; d) mechanical scarification with no 80 sandpaper, e) immersion in water at 100 C and f) control. On the two first experiments the seed germination was low. On the third experiment the seed germination was higher in the treatments with sulfuric acid (40% to 70%). The seeds of B. balansae present seedcoat dormancy that is overcome with the sulfuric acid immersion 100% for 1 minute.