The experiments were carried out at Embrapa Temperate Climate and the seedlings conducted in polystyrene trays with 72 cells, placed in a greenhouse with manual irrigation. The experimental design used in the experiments was completely randomized in a factorial design, using four replicates with 12 seeds each (Experiment 1) and three replicates of 18 seeds each (Experiment 2). The treatments of experiment 1 were the seed size (medium and small) and substrate (Plantimax®, vermiculite, coconut fiber). In the second experiment the treatments were the selections of Surinam cherry (67 and 172) and fruit ripening (partially and fully mature). The parameters were evaluated: emergency percentage, shoot length and the longest root (cm), number of leaves per plant, dry mass of root and shoot (g), brocade seeds, dormant and not emerged. The seeds of medium size were higher than little seeds in all variables. The substrate Plantimax® provided greater total dry matter than the coconut fiber, but no difference from the vermiculite. The selection 172 had a higher percentage of emergency and lower dormancy than 67. Seeds from fully ripe fruits showed higher dormancy and fewer leaves than partially ripe fruit seeds. It is concluded that the use of medium size seed and the substrate Plantimax® improve seedling development of Surinam cherry. The degree of ripeness of the fruit affects the process of seeds dormancy and initial seedling of Surinam cherry.
Eugenia uniflora; cherry and propagation
