An experiment was carried out in laboratory in order to determinate the best extraction time for obtaining high physiological quality of bottle gourd seeds. The seed extraction times were: fruit maturity period, plant scenescency and after 30, 60 and 90 days of fruit storage . The evaluation of seed germination and vigor was done at the extraction and every 30 days until 120 days after the beginning of the experiment. Fruits harvested at the natural death of the plants and shade stored for 49 and 57 days resulted in the highest germination and vigor, respectively, at the extraction epoch. That treatment showed the highest weight of 1000 seeds of 193.5g at 56 days. The storage of the seeds in the fruit was associated with the improvement of the seed physiological quality at extraction epoch. On the other hand, the laboratory storage of the seeds was associated to the dormancy breaking and the germination period shortening. In conclusion, the fruits of bottle gourd to extract seeds must be harvested at the natural death of the plants. Keeping seeds inside de fruits increases their germination and vigor. The shade storage of the fruits for 56 days produce high physiological quality in bottle gourd seeds.
germination; vigor; Lagenaria siceraria
