Most of the time, seedlings of yellow passion fruit are produced from seeds. The success in the establishment of the culture depends on several factors, such as the use of seeds of good quality and choice of the best substrate. This work had the objective of evaluating the influence of four substrates on the germination and initial seedling growth of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg), cv. IAC 277.The work was carried out at the Department of Plant Science, of the Federal University of Viçosa, from April to June, 2004. Four substrates were tested: Plantmax® ; Plantmax® + Sand (1:1 v/v); Plantmax® + Red Latosol (1:1 v/v); Plantmax® + Red Latosol + Sand (1:1:1 v/v). The experimental design was a completely randomized block, with three replications, where each plot was constituted by five plastic bags. After 48 days of sowing, the percentage of germination; total length of seedlings (roots and above ground) and seedlings dry weight, were evaluate. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means compared by Tukey test (a = 0.05). Significant differences were not observed among the substrates for all evaluated characteristics. This indicates that the four substrates used provided appropriate conditions for germination and the initial development of yellow passion fruit seedlings, cv. IAC 277.
Yellow passion fruit; sexual propagation; emergence; seedling; Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa
