GERMINATION AND SEED PRODUCTION OF JAMBU (Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. JANSEN) AT DIFFERENT HARVEST TIMES IN THE AMAZON REGION OF BRAZIL

Most of the jambu crops in the Amazon are grown using creole seeds. However, studies on cultivation techniques, seed maturation, and crop care are still in their infancy, which hinders the standardization of new plantings. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the best harvesting period for jambu inflorescences to obtain seeds for the species' propagation. The research was carried out in the quilombola community of Itabocal Ponte, in the municipality of Tome -Acu, state of Para, between the months of March and May 2022. The experimental design was in completely randomized blocks, with six treatments (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days after flowering - DAF), with four repetitions. The variables collected were: weight of chapters and weight of seeds, water content, emergence percentage, and germination. As a result, the best harvest time for jambu inflorescence was 25 to 30 DAF, with variable results ranging from 1.297 kg m(2) to 1.676 kg m(2) for chapter production and between 0.038 kg m(2) to 0.076 kg m(2) for seed production. Thus, the study made it possible to know the best harvest time for jambu inflorescences in order to increase the productivity of creole seeds for Amazonian producers.