Germination of calabash seeds under different substrates and temperatures

Abstract

Crescentia cujete L. (Bignoniaceae) is known as calabash or gourd. It is native from tropical America and it is found throughout Northeast Brazil, where it is used in folk medicine and for making domestic utensils. The objective of this research was to evaluate substrate and temperature effect on the germination of C. cujete seeds. The sowing was carried out with four replications of 25 seeds on the substrates paper, sand, vermiculite and paper roll, and placed in a BOD germinator, under temperatures of 20/30, 30 and 25ºC. The evaluated parameters were: germination (%), germination speed index (IVG), number of normal seedlings, root and shoot length (cm) and seedling dry mass (g). Higher germination percentage and IVG percentage were verified when the seeds were sowed in sand and vermiculite substrates, in 20/30°C temperature. No significant effect of the temperatures on seedlings dry mass was observed, but significant results occurred when vermiculite and sand were used. 20/30° and 30°C temperatures provided higher growth of the seedlings when the seeds were sowed in vermiculite; however, there was also a satisfactory development of the primary root in the sand substrate. The best conditions for germination were the use of sand and vermiculite substrates, in the temperature of 20/30°C.