SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF IMBIBITION TIME AND GA₃ CONCENTRATIONS ON THE GERMINATION OF POMEGRANATE SEEDS (PUNICA GRANATUM L.)

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a species of agronomic and pharmacological relevance, whose successful propagation depends on strategies capable of overcoming seed dormancy. Although gibberellic acid (GA₃) has been reported to stimulate germination, its effects vary according to dose and exposure time. The objective of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of different soaking times (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours) and GA₃ concentrations (0, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 mg L⁻¹) on seed germination and vigor. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, totaling 2,500 seeds distributed across treatments. Evaluations included germination percentage, germination speed index, and mean germination time under controlled laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated that the application of GA₃, especially with prolonged soaking periods, provided no benefits; on the contrary, it reduced germination and vigor compared to the untreated control, which achieved a higher germination percentage, germination speed index, and germination uniformity. It is concluded that, for the seed lot and experimental conditions tested, the use of GA₃ within the evaluated concentration range is not recommended for dormancy overcoming in Punica granatum L. seeds. The traditional method without growth regulator and without prolonged imbibition proved more efficient for seedling establishment.