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The present study evaluated the germination potential of seeds from eight peach tree rootstocks under different stratification methods, aiming at the production of high quality seedlings. In the first experiment, seeds with endocarp from eight genotypes ('Aldrighi', 'Capdeboscq', 'Flordaguard', 'Okinawa', 'Okinawa roxo', 'Tsukuba 1', 'Tsukuba 2', 'Tsukuba 3') were stratified on sand and moist vermiculite, at 7 °C for 60 days. In the second experiment, endocarpless seeds of the same genotypes were stratified on Petri dishes at 7 °C. In the third experiment, the time at which at least 75% of the seedlings reached transplanting height (15 cm high) was verified. The endocarp was a limiting factor for seed germination of the eight rootstocks, since the highest germination percentages were 21% and 48.3% for 'Aldrighi' and 'Capdeboscq', respectively. Germination of 'Okinawa' was only 19.2% and 4.2%, in sand and vermiculite, respectively. Seeds stratified without the endocarp, showed 100% germination, except for 'Flordaguard' and 'Tsukuba 2' and 3', with 93% germination. Seed mass presented a positive correlation with the germination speed index and the initial growth of the seedlings. 'Aldrighi' and 'Capdeboscq' presented more vigorous seedlings with greater growth in height, stem diameter, and Dickson quality index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at determining and correlating the main morphometric characteristics of fruits and seeds with the germination potential and vigor of eight peach rootstocks. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications of 50 seeds per treatment. The analyzed variables were: length, width, thickness, fresh mass of fruit and seeds, moisture content of seeds, percentage of seeds attacked by fungi and intact seeds, germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI) and mean germination time (MGT). The Capdeboscq, Aldrighi and Tsukuba 1 cultivars showed higher values of length, width, thickness and fresh mass of seeds compared to other cultivars, presenting a relationship with the later period of fruit ripening. Regardless of the fruit ripening time, the germination percentage was high, ranging between 93% and 100% for all cultivars. In addition, the fresh mass of fruits has showed a high positive correlation with the fresh mass of seeds for the eight evaluated peach rootstocks. The GSI and MGT have a high relationship with the fresh mass of seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed at determining and correlating the main morphometric characteristics of fruits and seeds with the germination potential and vigor of eight peach rootstocks. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications of 50 seeds per treatment. The analyzed variables were: length, width, thickness, fresh mass of fruit and seeds, moisture content of seeds, percentage of seeds attacked by fungi and intact seeds, germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI) and mean germination time (MGT). The Capdeboscq, Aldrighi and Tsukuba 1 cultivars showed higher values of length, width, thickness and fresh mass of seeds compared to other cultivars, presenting a relationship with the later period of fruit ripening. Regardless of the fruit ripening time, the germination percentage was high, ranging between 93% and 100% for all cultivars. In addition, the fresh mass of fruits has showed a high positive correlation with the fresh mass of seeds for the eight evaluated peach rootstocks. The GSI and MGT have a high relationship with the fresh mass of seeds.