REPOUSO DE FRUTOS E QUALIDADE DE SEMENTES DE MAXIXE

Abstract

The maxixe is a cucurbt of African origin, les well-know in large centers of consumption and its production is not significant, more consumed in the North, Northeast and Mindwest states of Brasil. Due to its undetermined groth, the maxixe has a staggered fruiting, which makes it difficult to determine its physiological maturaty point and the ideal harvest time. The objective of this was to evaluate the quality of gerkin seeds submetted diferente fruit resting periods. The design was completely randomized with four treats that were characterized by the postharvest resting period of fruits: 0; 7; 14 and 21 days and four repetitions. The maxixe cultivar was from Isla (Multiline), harvest at 65 days after sowing. The following analyzes were made: degree of humidity; Germination pattern; Mass of one Thousand seeds; Electrical conductivity of seeds; Seedling emergence and emergences peed index. The fruit resting has a positive influence on the maxixe seeds. The seeds of maxixe presented low vigor in the first periods resting of fruits. The higher electrical conductivity of the seeds did not influence germination. The resting period of maxixe on the physiological maturation of seeds over 21 DAC.