Annonas are propagated mainly by grafting and rootstocks are obtained usually by seeds. Their seeds have substances that inhibit germination and the seed coat also difficults seedling emergence. This trial evaluated the germination of seeds of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) and of atemoya cultivars 'PR-1', 'PR-3', and 'Gefner' (Annona cherimola Mill. X Annona squamosa L.) with treatments as follows (soaking during 24 hours): gibberellic acid (GA3) 50 ppm; GA3 100 ppm; water 5ºC; water 30ºC; and control. All treatments (except control) were preceded by sandpaper scarification. The treatments of GA3 50 and 100 ppm had the same results, providing 55 - 67% of germination for 'Gefner' and 'PR-3', significantly superior to the other treatments with 1 - 21%. For 'PR-1' this difference was also verified, with germination of 35 - 36 % for the treatments with GA3 and 1 - 2% for the others. The treatment of GA3 50 ppm was superior for custard apple, with 75% of germination, while GA3 100 ppm had 44%, and the others had 2.5 - 3.7%. Germination speed was significantly higher for seeds treated with GA3 50 ppm and GA3 100 ppm.
Annona squamosa L.; Annona cherimola Mill. X Annona squamosa L.; propagation; germination; giberelic acid
