PRE-GERMINATIVE TREATMENTS ON TAMBORIL SEEDS

Abstract

Studies on increases in seed germination and reduction of time between sowing and emergence of seedlings may increase the efficiency of tree seedlings production. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of mechanical scarification and hydration with growth regulators and nutrients, physiological quality of seeds and initial growth of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings. It was used a completely randomized design in a 2 x 7 factorial scheme, being two types of mechanical scarification (tip and side) combined with different chemical agents in the pre-soaking (no hydration, water, potassium nitrate 0,2%, calcium nitrate 0,2%, gibberellin, cytokinin, gibberellin + cytokinin) with four replicates. Germination and seed vigor and initial seedling performance were evaluated. It was concluded that mechanical scarification increased seed germination and emergence speed of seedlings and that pre-germination treatments maximized seed germination speed.