This study was carried out in order to relate the fruit harvest season and dormancy occurrence in papaya seeds. Papaya fruits of the Formosa group, Tainung 01 hybrid, were harvested at maturation stage 1 (15% external color yellow), at five different times: July and November/2004 and February, May and September/2005. The fruits were stored at room temperature until they reached maturation stage 5 (more than 75% external color yellow). Seeds with and without sarcotesta were obtained at each harvest time. Standard germination of these seeds was performed in a germinator at 20/30 º C (8/16 hours, respectively) and normal seedlings percentage was evaluated at 15 and 30 days. Seeds with sarcotesta had lower germination speed and percentage. There was an effect of fruit harvest time on seed germination. Seeds extracted from fruits harvested in July/2004 and May/2005 had post-harvest dormancy, which did not occur in seeds from fruits harvested in the high temperature periods.
maturation; harvest; germination; Carica papaya L
