Lecythis pisonis Cambess (sapucaia): seed morphometric traits and germinative response

Abstract

This study aimed to test a possible correlation between germination and the variables weight and density of seeds of Lecythis pisonis (sapucaia), as well as raise issues which may contribute to know germination in this species. For this, we followed up the soaking and germination process of intact and scarified seeds of L. pisonis under controlled conditions (26°C, with average irradiance of 34.6 mmol.m-2.s-1 and in the dark). In another trial, seeds of sapucaia were individually characterized with regard to weight and density, and, then, sown in plastic boxes filled with soil and kept in a natural environment (average irradiance ±12.5 mmol.m-2.s-1 at 12:00 p.m.), with temperatures ranging from 15 to 32°C. The germination (shoot emergence) of each seed was followed up within the period from September 2009 to January 2010. The results suggest that the coat does not represent a restrictive factor for soaking and germination of sapucaia. Germination increased proportionally to the increase in seed density. Based on these results, we recommend the use of seeds with densities > 0.9 g.mL-1, in order to ensure a high percentage of seedlings.