Periods and dry environments in the seeds quality of Genipa americana L.

Abstract

Genipa americana L. is a tropical tree belonging to Rubiaceae family, providing fruit that are consumed in natura and is being increasingly explored as raw material to liquor, wine, soft drink and also the use of white wood for making various products. The seeds drying this species can be made using natural and or artificial methods. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of natural drying, in different periods and ambient, in the physiological quality of Genipa americana seeds. Seeds were submitted to the determination of moisture content after processing and drying of each period (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hours). To evaluate the effects of ambient (laboratory and greenhouse) and drying periods were performed the following tests: emergence in greenhouse, emergence speed index, seedling length and dry weight. Drying seed genipa can be done in a greenhouse (temperature of 33°C with relative humidity of 70%) for 24 hours or laboratory environment (temperature of 28°C with relative humidity of 75%) for 48 hours without compromising the physiological quality.