The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium hypochlorite on the endocarp degradation of re-hydrated coffee seeds and the effect of this degradation on seedling emergence. Seed samples of the Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44 cultivar with moisture contents of 12, 16 and 20% were re-hydrated in running water up to 33% and another sample was kept at the initial moisture content. All the seeds (re-hydrated or not) were presoaked for 3 h in an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite at concentrations of 0, 3, 4 and 5% of active chlorine, including seeds with endocarp and those with the endocarp removed manually. Tests evaluated the percentage and velocity of seedling emergence under nursery conditions. Seed immersion with initial moisture contents of 12, 16 and 20% in aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution at concentrations of 3, 4 and 5% was not effective in increasing and accelerating seedling emergence under nursery conditions when the endocarp was manually removed. Re-hydration is not necessary up to 33% moisture content before seed immersion in aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution to improve seedling emergence.
Coffea arabica; endocarp; emergency test
