Seed germination of native forest species of Caatinga with socioeconomic importance

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of different substrates on the germination and initial development of Astronium urundeuva (aroeira-do-sertão) and Anadenanthera colubrina (angico) and different methods of breaking dormancy in Schinopsis brasiliensis (barauna) seeds. Washed sand, humus substrate, and vermiculite were tested in the germination and initial development of A. urundeuva and A. colubrine; while the following methods of breaking dormancy were tested for S. brasiliensis: control (untreated seeds), leaching in a running water for one hour, bevel cutting + leaching for one hour, and bevel cut. The use of vermiculite as a substrate increased the germination and initial development of A. urundeuva and A. colubrina. On the other hand, no statistical differences were observed among the treatments tested for breaking dormancy of S. brasiliensis, requiring further studies to improve the germination techniques of this species.

Keywords

• Astronium urundeuva
• Anadenanthera colubrina
• Schinopsis brasiliensis
• substrate
• dormancy