GERMINATION EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES ON GRUMIXAMEIRA

Abstract

Grumixama belongs to the Myrtaceae family, members of which have simple leaves, which are generally leaf-opposed, with whole margins, an evergreen color. The Myrtaceae family includes about 140 genera and over 3,000 species. Grumixama is rarely cultivated and its production is normally used in the manufacture of bulk candy, syrup, liqueurs and jams. Because it is rarely cultivated there is virtually no agronomic information about the cultivation of this fruit tree, in particular relating to seedling production and seed germination. The objective of this study was to evaluate grumixama seed germination in two substrates; Tecnomax® (based on pine bark) and washed sand. Sowing was performed in 110 cm3 volume, high-density polyethylene tubes filled with the respective substrates. Sixty days after sowing the germination percentage was evaluated. The height, stem diameter and number of leaves were evaluated at 120 days, when the seedlings had an average height of 10 cm. The pine bark substrate provided the best germination and development of quality grumixama seedlings compared to the washed sand.