Priming treatment usually promotes rapid and uniform germination and increases tolerance to different stress conditions. Post-treatment effects on seed germination and seedling emergence have been extensively studied but information of plant performance is less available. This research was conducted to verify the influence of hydropriming on seedling emergence, plant development and yield of cauliflower. Sharon and Teresópolis Gigante cultivars, each one represented through three seed lots were primed between two moistened germination paper towel layers under 20ºC. Seeds from 'Sharon' attained 38% of moisture and, 'Teresópolis Gigante', 41% of moisture. After the conditioning treatment, seeds were dried to 7.5%-7.9% of moisture in oven with air circulation, at 28-30ºC and 45-55% R.H. Seed physiological potential was evaluated in laboratory by speed and percentage of germination. Seeds of each lot were planted in multicell polystyrene trays (200 cells/tray) containing artificial growing mix, and seedlings were transplanted into a field plot when they reached the four-leave stage (30 days after sowing). Seedling emergence (percentage and speed) was determined 14 days after sowing date, and plant height and plant dry weight were measured at 14; 30; 44; 56, and 74 days. Head diameter and yield were recorded at 110 days. Hydropriming treatment promoted increases in speed of germination and in percentage and speed of seedling emergence, but those effects were not enough to persist during plant growth, not affecting the cauliflower yield.
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis; seed enhancement; germination; vigor; yield
