SEED GERMINATION OF PROGENIES OF BACTRIS GASIPAES: PERCENTAGE, SPEED AND DURATION

This paper presents results on fruit size and seed germination of a pejibaye palm population from Yurimaguas region, Peru, with the objective to give information for breeding of the species for palm heart production. There were studied 268 progenies under laboratory conditions. At the beginning, the average weight of seeds of the progenies was evaluated. Periodically, the number of germinated seeds was counted over 12 months. Great variability was observed among progenies for all characters evaluated: size and shape of fruits and seeds, mature fruit color and characteristics of germination. Values from 0 to 100% were found for germination percentage. The germination speed index varied from 0.01 to 2.55. The average duration of the germination process varied from 38 to 133 days. Some pathogenic agents and insects were found on seeds of several progenies, their presence always being associated with low germination. No statistically significant correlation between average seed weight and other evaluated characters was found.