Acondicionamiento osmótico de semilla de chile ancho (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

One of the main obstacles for the commercialization of some cultivars of chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is the difficulty to induce the germination of the seed, reason why the objective of this assay was to determine the time of immersion needed by the seeds of Chile ancho (dried poblano peppers) in solutions of polyethylene glycol 8000, for its pre-germination through osmotic preparation, and to obtain a uniform germination in a shorter time. The following treatments were applied: 0 (witness), 12, 24 and 48 h, in a solution of polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000) with an osmotic potential of -1.20 MPa. After concluding the treatments the seed was dried at room temperature and stored. Later on, the osmoprimed seed was assayed for standard germination, evaluating nor mal and abnormal seedlings, non-germinated seeds, length of epicotyl and radicle. The osmoprimed seed showed a superior germinative capacity by a period of 12 h (84%) as compared with the witness (61%). This indicates that osmopriming has a positive impact, expressing itself in a high percentage of germination. The most outstand ing characteristics of osmoprimed seed are germination in a shorter time –in comparison with the seed without a treatment–, a more uniform germination, and elimination of factors inducing latency.