Delonix regia (flamboyant) is a tree widely used in Brazil, highly valued as ornamental plant. Its propagation is by seed, which show dormancy caused by its integument, impermeable to water. With the objective of determining the best method to overcome dormancy in the laboratory, the seeds were submitted to different treatments: 1) immersion in boiling water for one minute, 2) immersion in water at 80°C and 90°C for one and three minutes, 3) scarification with sandpaper, and 4) immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes, plus control with intact seeds. After each treatment, the seeds germinated in towel paper roll at a temperature of 25°C. In a second step, the most effective treatments to overcome dormancy were applied and germination was evaluated at 30°C. At both temperatures, germination counts (normal seedlings) were performed daily. The immersion of the seeds of flamboyant in hot water (90°C for one minute) was feasible and the most effective in promoting germination, eliminating the use of chemical treatments. Germination test performed at 30°C did not achieve satisfying results, with lower percentages of normal seedlings and PGI than the tests carried out at 25°C. Normal seedlings were described as those with two visible half-open cotyledons, elongated hypocotyl, well developed primary root, and short adventitious roots. Delonix regia seeds germinate best at 25ºC after 1-minute immersion in water at 90°C, which is indicated as a treatment to overcome the dormancy of the species.
Flamboyant; Germination; Temperature
