Ciência Florestal (Aug 2013)

SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING EMERGENCE OF <i>Anadenanthera colubrina</i> (Vell.) Brenan var. <i>cebil</i> (Griseb.) Altschut, FABACEAE, ESTABLISHED IN FOREST FRAGMENTS OF CERRADO, MINAS GERAIS STATE

  • Marieta Caixeta Dorneles,
  • Marli A. Ranal,
  • Denise Garcia de Santana

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5902/1980509810541
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 3
pp. 291 – 304

Abstract

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http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509810541 The seed germination strategy is important for the survival of species, allowing their maintenance and regeneration in the environment. Seed germination and seedling emergence of Anadenanthera colubrina were studied to examine the reproductive efficiency of this species, typical of Cerrado biome. The fruits were collected in ‘Vale do Rio Araguari’, in MG state. The water content at 105 °C, the germination in controlled laboratory conditions and seedling emergence in semi-open greenhouse were analyzed. The seeds had low water content between 6.7 to 10.7%. The germinating ability and the emergence percentage were high for almost all studied individuals, being registered 68 for seeds of individual number 2 and 85 - 94% for the others; 38% (individual number 2) and 78 - 91% (for the others), respectively. The speed of the processes was high, with the end of germination within 12.8 days and emergence within 18.8 days. The processes were heterogeneous, with values of coefficient of variation of the germination or emergence time above 28.5%; asynchronous, with values of uncertainty above 1.5 bits and synchrony below 0.3812. The seeds of this species were efficient in both processes and the heterogeneity and asynchrony may indicate the effects of environmental fluctuations during the seed formation, besides the genetic variability, intrinsic to each individual of the population. The speed and the high potential of seed germination of this species may also facilitate the programs of reforestation with the production of large numbers of seedlings in short time.

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