International Journal of Environment and Climate Change

This research paper focuses on the germination process of dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) seeds under different treatments and desiccation time intervals. The fruits of the Lisa variety, commonly referred to as Pitaya roja or red-fleshed pitaya, were gathered from plants cultivated in fields for this investigation. The study used a factorial design with treatments including distilled water, GA₃, and KNO₃, and desiccation time intervals ranging from 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours. The percentage of germination, moisture content, and air-desiccation duration were measured and analyzed. The findings provided insights into the optimal conditions for seed germination and the effects of different treatments on the germination process. The factorial design to evaluate the interaction between treatments and desiccation time intervals on the germination of dragon fruit seeds. The moisture content of the seeds decreased during the drying process, indicating the removal of moisture. The air-desiccation duration varied across different treatments and time intervals, with Experiment 1 showing higher mean values compared to Experiment 2. Best germination and seed viability was observed in the desiccated seeds as well as post-thaw seeds when treated with 0.1% KNO_3. The research findings provide valuable insights into the speed of germination, the effectiveness of different treatments, and the impact of desiccation time intervals on the germination process of dragon fruit seeds.