PRIMING WITH NUTRIENTS AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON THE QUALITY OF BRACHIARIA SEEDS

Abstract

The priming agents to seeds can result in increased production and improve physiological quality of seeds. The objective was to evaluate the influence of priming cycles with different nutrients and gibberellin on the physiological quality of Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-5 seeds. The study was conducted at the Seed Analysis Laboratory of the Mato Grosso do Sul State University, in Cassilandia-MS, from March to April 2013. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 x 3 factorial, composed of first hydration cycle [control (water), potassium nitrate (KNO3) and gibberellic acid (GA(3))], and second hydration cycle [water, calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)(2)) and control (unconditioned)], with four replications. The first and second hydration cycle of seeds was carried out by direct immersion for 2 hours at 25 Alpha degrees C, followed by drying of the seeds to reach equilibrium moisture content. Germination, vigor, seed viability and early seedling growth were measured. The use of a hydration cycle with nutrient or gibberellic acid did not affect seed germination, the emergence and early growth of Brachiaria seedlings; however, after a hydration cycle, the seeds can be subjected to another hydration cycle when using calcium nitrate solution.