EFFECT OF GIBBERELLIC ACID (GA₃) ON SEED GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.)

The high cost of seeds and seedlings of tomato long life hybrids is one of the most limiting aspects during early crop establishment, nevertheless, with the use of gibberellic acid it is possible to enhance the germination percentage, reduce the sprouting time, and equally achieve faster growth speed and less time to bring the seedlings to the field.
Thus, in the first stage of the experiment, seeds of Daniela hybrid were soaked during 36 h in 0, 300, 600 or 900 mg L^-1 GA₃ using a completely randomized design with four replicates.
Four seedlings from each treatment were brought to the field during a month using the same design.
In the first stage, soaking seeds in 900 mg L^-1 GA₃ resulted in the highest germination percentage, root length, dry matter, stem and root fresh matter and leaf area, while the fastest average sprouting rate and tallest height were due to 300 mg L^-1 GA₃ treatment.
In field stage, the plant height, stem and total dry matter, leaf and root fresh matter and net assimilation showed the best response at 900 mg L^-1 GA₃ treatment.
In this way, the seed soaking with 900 mg L^-1 GA₃ allows obtaining more vigorous tomato seedlings in less time and with a better development in field.

International Symposium on Tomato in the Tropics

H.E. Balaguera-López, J.F. Cárdenas-Hernández, J.G. Álvarez-Herrera

imbibition, seedlings, vigor

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.821.15