Germination and initial growth of two jabuticaba species in function of seed size

Germination and initial growth of two jabuticaba species in function of seed size. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of seed size in the germination and the initial growth of jabuticaba Sabara' (P. jabuticaba (Veil.) Berg), and jabuticaba de Cabinho' (P. pernviana var. Trunciflora). The work was carried out in a green house at the Universidade Federal de Vicosa (UFV), state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The seeds used were extracted and later classified in three classes according to size: > 8mm, 6 - 8 mm and < 6mm. The seeds already classified were sown in plastic boxes, containing Plantmax (R) as substrate. The experiment was set in an entirely randomized experimental design, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme (specie x seed size), with four replications, where each plot consisted of 50 seeds. After 46 days, the following were evaluated: germination percentage, number of plantlets/seed, number of leaves per plantlet, total plantlet length; plantlet height; root length; and speed emergence index. The germination and initial growth of 'Jabuticaba Sabara' and 'Jabuticaba de Cabinho' were influenced by seed size, with the best quality obtained with the larger seeds (> 8 mm and 6 8 mm).