Aplicação do ácido clorídrico para a quebra de dormência da beterraba (Beta vulgaris L.).

Abstract

Hydrochloric acid can be used to break seed dormancy through chemical scarification. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on breaking dormancy in beet seed, aiming at improving germination and initial seedling growth. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Center for Agrofood Science and Technology (CCTA) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG). The seeds were immersed in HCl solutions with concentrations of 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0% for 20 minutes, followed by washing and sowing in trays containing commercial substrate. The following variables were evaluated: emergence speed, germination percentage, leaf area, dry mass of shoots and roots, plant height, root length and shoot/root dry mass ratio. The immersion of seeds in different concentrations of HCl significantly influenced characteristics such as emergence speed index, germination percentage, leaf area and mass partitioning in seedlings. The 10% HCl concentration provided faster and more uniform responses in emergence and germination. On the other hand, the 2.5% HCl concentration stood out for promoting better results in leaf area and mass partitioning between roots and shoots.