Germination and development of jatropha seedlings under water stress conditions

Abstract

The first step sequence that involves the germination process is imbibition. The limitation of water to the seed at planting time can reduce germination and velocty as well as the development of the seedling. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the germination and seedling development of jatropha under conditions of water stress by polyethylene glycol (PEG6000). The study was conducted at the Research Laboratory of the Department of Crop Seeds, Federal University of Viçosa. We used seeds of jatropha in temperature de 30 °C under osmotic potential levels of 0.0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1.0 and -1.2. The performance of seed germination and seedling development were evaluated by germination (first and second count), index of germination velocity, time of germination, length and primary root and hypocotyl length. The experimental design was completely randomized design with six levels of osmotic potential to more witnesses and four replications. We conducted the analysis of variance and regression of the data and curves fitted by quadratic polynomial model for all variables. The reduction in osmotic potential of the substrate caused a significant reduction in germination of seeds of jatropha, as well as the speed of germination and seedling performance of this species. The fall of germination and seedling performance is enhanced and levels considered critical to -0.2 MPa and inhibits germination from -1.2 MPa.