Alternative methods of maximizing the emergence of beet seeds

Abstract

Vegetable seeds are expensive products nowadays, therefore, it is necessary getting as much as possible from seed emergence. The adoption of techniques in order to maximize the emergence of seeds, such as osmotic conditioning and the use of hormones, has become more common lately. Thus, the objective was to seek alternative methods of maximizing emergence beet seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in Muzambinho (MG). Two beet cultivars were used, the Top Early Wonder Tall and Bonel, sown in polystyrene trays of 200 cells. We worked with block design with three replications and a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, in which the alternative methods were the use of Stimulate (R) hormone (presence or absence), in several methods of osmotic conditioning (natural running water for 2 hours, soaking in deionized water for 2 hours, natural water immersion at rest for 2 hours). Subsequently, the seeds were dried for 24 hours and scattered. The hormone was applied directly into the seeds when sowing them. The emerged seedling counting was held every two days between the 4th and the 14th day after the planting; the emergence speed index was calculated after. The use of alternative methods in order to maximize the emergence of beet seed was not effective. Osmotic conditioning and applying hormone did not increase the emergence of beet seed.