Effect of removal of mucilage in germination and seed vigor of <i>Hylocereus undatus</i> Haw

Abstract

Red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus Haw.) is a tropical fruit species that is being sought because of its attractive appearance to the consumers, with organoleptic flavor, slightly sweet, and thus has shown a promising alternative for producers. This work aimed to study the effect of different methods of removal of mucilage on germination and seed vigor of red pitaya. The seeds were removed from ripe fruits and subjected to the following treatments: control - seeds with mucilage, manual extraction of the mucilage in nylon mesh (2 mm) in running water, manual extraction in nylon mesh + lime, soaking in a solution of 1:2 HCl for 1 hour and natural fermentation for five days. After completion of the removal of mucilage, the seeds were distributed in gerbox on two sheets of filter paper moistened with distilled water, kept in a germination chamber at a constant temperature of 25 ºC. The variables evaluated were the germination considering the seedlings as normal and abnormal, dormant seed and dead and index of velocity of germination. Removal of mucilage influenced the seed germination of pitaya red, indicated the immersion of seeds in a solution of HCl for 1 hour.