Hylocereus undatus (Haw.), popularly known as red pitaya is a cactus for which it has been registered an increase in consumption in recent years and, being as yet little explored, several aspects related to its propagation are still unknown. Yet, there are no criteria for the performance of germination tests for seeds of this species published in Rules for Seed Analysis. Accordingly, the objective of this research was to adapt the methodology to the substrate, temperature and time of initial and final count for the germination test. Four substrates were tested (rolled paper, sand, vermiculite and soil) and four temperatures (20, 25, 30 e 20-30°C).The effect of substrates on the seeds germination performance was evaluated by the germination test and first count installed with four replicates of 50 seeds. The number of seedlings was counted daily until they achieved stability. The percentage of seed germination was evaluated at the end of the experiment, considering the normal and abnormal seedlings and dead seeds. It was concluded that the germination test of red pitaya seeds must be performed at constant temperature of 25°C in rolled paper, with initial and final counts at five and ten days after sowing, respectively.
Hylocereus undatus (Haw.); cactus; temperature; substrate
