Influence of pregerminative treatments in seeds of manzano hot pepper (Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav.)

The manzano or cera chilli pepper (Capsicum pubescens) is a perennial plant native to the highlands of South America. During storage, the main problem is its test, which causes a decrease in germination under natural conditions. Because there is little information on germination, it is necessary to implement alternatives that guarantee the resource within a breeding program. The aim was to evaluate the effect of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and gibberellic acid-3 (C19H22O6) on the percentage of emergence and characteristics of C. pubescens seedlings. The experiment was carried out in the Unit of Management and Conservation of Genetic Resources of the Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences of the Universidad Veracruzana. C. pubescens seeds from the Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico, stored at room temperature for one year were used. The treatments studied were immersion in H2SO4 (100, 75, 60 %, 30 min); immersion in H2O2 (20, 10, 15 %, 15 min), immersion in C19H22O6 (25, 20, 15 mg, 24 h) and the control treatment. The results in the present study reveal significant statistical differences (P ≤ 0,01) for all the variables evaluated. The best percentage of germination was caused by immersion in C19H22O6 (15 mg, 24 h) and H2O2 (20 %, 15 min). The treatment with H2SO4 was harmful since there was no emergency.