The objective of this study was to evaluate the combinations between sodium hypochlorite concentrations and presoaking times that would provide higher germination of coffee seeds with moisture contents from 13 to 33% (w.b.). The seeds of Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44 variety were dried in the shade until they reached the desired moisture contents. Five assays were accomplished, one for each moisture content of the seeds (13, 18, 23, 28 and 33%). Each assay consisted of 12 treatments, each one consisting of combinations of five sodium hypochlorite concentrations (3, 4, 5, 6 and 7% active chlorine) in the presoaking solution and two presoaking times (3 and 6 hr), besides the seeds with or without endocarp that were manually removed (control). The seeds were evaluated, by using the following tests: first germination counting, germination, germination speed index and seedling vigor. According to the results, the presoaking of the coffee seeds into sodium hypochlorite at 6% concentration active chlorine for three hours promoted an efficient degradation of the endocarp, besides providing germination speed index similar to the control, when seeds showed initial moisture content between 23 and 33%. In those seeds with moisture content at 18 and 13%, the presoaking in sodium hypochlorite led to an inferior germination performance of the seeds relative to the seeds without endocarp that was manually removed, regardless of the combination between concentration and the presoaking time.
sodium hypochlorite; endocarp degradation; seeds; coffee
