Germinação de sementes de Bacurizinho (Rheedia brasiliensis (Mart.) Pl. et Tr.) em função da dessecação e de tratamentos pré-germinativos

Abstract

Rheedia brasiliensis, probably originated from Amazon is dispersed throughout north of South America, reaching almost the entire Brazilian territory and extending the Paraguay. The fruit is edible and very popular, but there is little information about process of seeds germination. The present study evaluates the desiccation and pregerminative treatments in seeds of this species. The experiments were performed in vivarium with 50% luminosity, arranged in a completely randomized design; in experiment of desiccation was tested seven humidity degree with four repetitions; in the pre-germinative treatments, both experiments were tested five treatments with four replicates. The seeds of Rheedia brasiliensis showed recalcitrant behavior, compared to desiccation with the level of security around 41% humidity. The critical level of humidity is located below of 41% and above of 34% humidity, which there is the beginning of the reduction in seed viability. Below of 20% and above 14% humidity, the seeds reach the lethal level of humidity. The tegument dormancy was confirmed in seeds of Rheedia brasiliensis, which can be overcome by partial or total removal of the seed tegument. The long period of germination, even after seed tegument removed suggests the existence of other types of dormancy, over the tegumentar in the seeds of this species. It is recommended to remove the tegument in both extremity of seeds, to accelerate and standardize the emergency, because this is a practical method to obtain and vigorous seedlings.