Importance of the Role of Gibberellic Acid and Potassium Nitrate in Seed Germination Habanero

The habanero chili (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) is a species of great demand in the domestic and international markets. One problem in the cultivation is low percentage of seed germination. There is little information on the use of promoters and imbibition time to increase this parameter, without compromising the quality of seedlings. In this context, authors assessed the independent effect of GA3 (gibberellic acid) and KNO3 at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg·L -1 . Seeds without preconditioning were the witness. The experimental unit was a Petri dish with 50 seeds on filter paper placed equidistant. There were three replicates per treatment and the experimental design was randomized complete block. Imbibition time was 24 h. The experimental units were kept in an incubator at 22 ± 2 °C. From the time of planting and for periods of 24 h for 14 d, experimental units were reviewed to determine the time at the beginning of germination and the total cumulative percentage. The authors also determined the number of normal and abnormal seedlings, the length of hypocotyl and radicle, weight of fresh and dry matter of seedlings. On the fifth day after sowing in vitro, concentrations of 500 mg·L -1 of GA3, 300 and 400 mg·L -1 KNO3, increased 208% the percentage of seed germination of habanero chile. On day 14 after sowing in vitro concentrations of 500 mg·L -1 GA3, 300 and 400 mg·L -1 KNO3, increased 23% normal seedlings and 40% dry matter thereof, with respect to seeds obtained without preconditioning. Unconditioned seeds before sowing produced 125% more seedlings.