In this study, the effect of different storage conditions on the behaviour of Copaifera multijuga Hayne seeds was evaluated in order to determine the criterion for its conservation during a long period. Fresh seeds were enclosed in paper bags (permeable packing) or glass bottles (not permeable packing), and stored in laboratory environment (27"C average temperature and 85% relative humidity) and in a cold cabinet (8ºC temperature and 55% relative humidity), during six months. A randomized design was adapted, with a factorial scheme 2 χ 2 χ 3 (packing method, environment, storage duration), with four replications. The quality of the seeds was evaluated bimonthly through the parameters: water content, germination, emergence speed rate and seedling length. The initial percentage of germination was 94% and the water content, 34%. The viability of the seeds was reduced to 75% and 45%, respectively, in permeable and not permeable packing, after two months of storage in the laboratory environment. The permeable packing in the cold cabinet was found to be efficient for the conservation of the seeds of this species, with 85% percentage of germination, after a storage 4 months.
forest seed; packaging; viability; germination