Effects of substrate on the germination of amaranth seeds (Amaranthus spp)

Abstract

The germination of the seeds is the process by which an embryo plant emerges from dormancy. This development stage of the plants depends on many factors, among which one can include the genetic and environmental nature. Due to lack of information about the percentage and germination speed rate of amaranth seeds (Amaranthus spp), an experiment was carried to evaluate the effect of different substrates on the germination of amaranth seeds. The experiment was evaluated in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and four replications. In the treatments were utilized the following substrates: beach sand (T₁), dune sand (T₂), river sand (T₃), arisco (rough) soil (T₄) e and alluvial soil (T₅). The best treatment was with alluvial soil, it showed 96% of germination, average time of 11.68 days for germination and better initial development, it was followed by T₄. The worst results were noted with treatment T₁, which showed 76% of geminated seeds, average time of 12.59 days and minor initial development of the amaranth.