The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of light, temperature and hydric stress on the germination and vitality of fennel seeds.. First, the seeds were sowed on paper at constant temperatures of 20, 25, 30ºC or alternating temperatures of 20-30ºC in the presence or absence of light. In a second step, seeds were kept on paper in aqueous polyethylene glicol (PEG 6000) at the osmotic potentials equivalent to zero; -0,05; -0,10; -0,15; -0,20; -0,25;-0,30MPa. According to the results, it was possible to conclude that germination of fennel seeds occurred in presence or absence light. The fennel seeds germinated better at constant temperatures of 20 and 25ºC but 30ºC was not useful for the germination test. The decrease in the osmotic potentials reduced the germination and vigor of fennel seeds, and vigor was more affected than germination. The germination was drastically reduced, starting at -0,1 MPa for fennel when there was a decrease in the osmotic potentials with polyethylene glicol 6000.
Foeniculum vulgare; germination; hydric stress
