This study aimed to assess the effects of fire on germination of golden-grass (Syngonanthus nitens (Bong.) Ruhland, Eriocaulaceae) seeds. Seeds collected in Jalapão (Tocantins, Brazil) were exposed to heat shock treatments at 60 ºC, 100 ºC, 150 ºC and 200 ºC, for 1', 3', and 5'. For each treatment and control five replications were used (20 seeds each). Seeds were put on Petri dishes and placed inside germination chambers set at 28 ºC, 12h/12h, for 40 days. Germination rates were analyzed by two-factorial ANOVA, using randomization tests. Most treatments showed high germination rates (>85%), except for 200ºC/3' (50%), and 200ºC/5, which showed germination rates that were significantly lower (4.5%, P<0.05). The results indicated that S. nitens seeds were not stimulated or killed by high temperatures, except when an extreme temperature and time of exposure were combined (200ºC/5'). When wet grasslands burn, where S. nitens grows, the fire passes very quickly over the area and the temperature during the fire may not exceed 150ºC. Under these conditions, our results suggest that S. nitens seeds can potentially survive most fires. These findings are essential for making management recommendations for this species, which has high commercial value.
Cerrado; fire; heat shock; wet grassland
