Biometry and Pre-germinating Manilkara zapota L. Seed Treatments

Abstract

Manilkara zapota L., popularly known as sapoti, has commercial relevance both for fruits, with high prices in the regional markets, and for its wood. Thus, the propagation of this species can be done by seed, however, the germination is slow and uneven. The objective of this work was to study the biometry of the seeds and to evaluate pre-germinative treatments to facilitate the propagation of sapoti. The fruits were from the municipality of Brejão-PE and length, width and thickness were determined in millimeters of each seed and submitted to different pre-germination treatments. The seeds were exposed to the following evaluations: biometry, dormancy overrun, germination tests, germination speed index, root length and aerial part of the seedlings and dry mass of the root and shoot of the seedlings. They have variability regarding their biometry and do not require the adoption of treatments for the breakdown of dormancy, which enables and accelerates the production of seedlings. The treatments aimed at overcoming dormancy of sapoti were not efficient to accelerate the germination of the seeds.