Tabernaemontana fuchsiaefolia A. DC is a species of the Apocynaceae family, native of Brasil, with aggressive characteristic, having potential for use in restoration of degraded areas. The work aimed to evaluate the influence os methods of accelerated aging on the physiological quality and germination of' seeds, using the traditional method and in NaCl solution, employing the methodology of gerbox, forming mini-chambers of aging at three temperatures (41, 43 and 45 °C) and five aging times (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours). The seeds, after aging, were germinated in rolls of germitest paper, in four replicates of 25 seeds, in BOD chambers at 30 °C with a photoperiod of 8 hours. The effect of temperature was evaluated by Tukey test, at 5% probability, while the effect of aging time by regression analysis. After 35 days, we assessed the percentage, germination speed index, mean time and frequency of germination; root length and aerial part length, dry matter of seedlings and percentage of normal seedlings. It was observed that the alternative method of aging with a NaCl solution have a little influence in seed quality, may not be suitable for testing the seed vigor of that specie. The traditional method, in the temperature of 45 °C in 96 hours of aging period provided decrease in germination and can be used to test the seed vigor.
leiteira; vigor; physiological quality; forest seed
