Breaking Seed Dormancy of Jaltomata procumbens (Cav.) J. L. Gentry Seeds with the Use of KNO3

Abstract

Jaltomata procumbens (Cav.) J. L. Gentry presents seed dormancy mechanisms in its two populations, erect and decumbent, that make its germination and obtaining of plants difficult. Potassium nitrate (KNO3) is used as a seed germination promoter by soaking in an osmotic solution. The objective was to break the dormancy of Jaltomata seeds by evaluating KNO3. Treatments included: 2 populations (erect and decumbent), 2 soaking times (4 and 6 days) in 2 concentrations of KNO3 solution (0.1% and 0.2%) and in distilled water used as a control. Days of germination including starting (DGS) and ending (DGE), energy period (EP), germination energy (GE), germination percentage (GP) and rate (GR) were measured. The erect population presented a more uniform germination and a lower number of DGS and DGE as well as 100% germination with the highest GR (2.56 seeds day−1). No statistical differences were observed between KNO3 and control; however, the positive effect of the KNO3 and 4 days of soaking on the germinated seed was observed. The decumbent population exhibited a more variable germination; however, the same trend of the solution type and soaking days was observed, reaching 93.1 GP. Considering the economic and accessibility aspects of substances that promote germination on J. procumbens, distilled water imbibition and KNO3 are recommended to accelerate the germination process.