Effect of different level of desiccation in the seed germination of <I>Euterpe edulis</I> Martius - Arecaceae

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the germination of Euterpe edulis seeds submitted to different leveIs of desiccation. Seeds with inicial moisture content of 50% were dried by two methods: I - for O to 48 hours in forced air oven at 28°C; II - for 2 to 64 days at room temperature and relative humidity. The main conclusions were: seeds dried for 48 hours in forced dried oven reached moisture content of 32% and this lower moisture content did not affect the germination percentage. The percentage of germination started to decrease in seeds with less than 28% of moisture content, condition that was reached after 8 days drying at room temperature and relative humidity. Seeds with 20% or less of moisture content lost drastically its hability to germinate. The tetrazolium test applied to these seeds showed the death of the embrionic axis. The sensibility of E. edulis seeds to desiccation showed in this work indicates recalcitrant behavior.