EFFECT OF DEEP OF SOWING AND LIGHT-INTENS ITY ON GERMINATION OF MANGABA (HANCORNIA-SPECIOSA GOM) SEEDS

Effects of five deeps of sowing and two light intensities on germinati on of mangaba seeds have been studied. Seeding was done in plastic pot s of 14 cm of diameter by 11 cm of height, filled with washed sand, at 0, 1, 2, 3 e 4 cm of deep and light intensities were 100% of natural light, in an open field nursery, and 50% of natural light, in an woven nylon covered lath house. Light conditions affected seed germination and mean germination rate per week. Germination averaged 32.4% and 8.4 %, and speed of germination were 7.02% and 1.97% seeds germinated per week at 100% of light and 50% of light, respectively. Deeps affected t he mean number of weeks to germinate and the best result was obtained at 0 cm of deep with 4,06 weeks. Germination started at the third week , increased rapidly up to the fifth week, and became stable at the six th week after sowing. Mangaba seeds should be planted superficially at 100% of light intensity, to get the best results on final germination and speed of germination.