ABSTRACT
The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of types of drying on seeds' quality, as recalcitrant, Ocotea puberula and determine their degree of critical humidity and lethal degree. Seeds harvested in Brunópolis, SC, with an initial moisture content of 38%, were dried to 18%, with gradients of 2%; using the equation of target weight to ensure that gradient in the stove (35 oC) and in a desiccator with silica gel (25 oC). After drying, the seeds were evaluated for water content, percentage and germination speed index (GSI), tetrazolium and T50. It was observed that up to 32% water content did not change in seed quality, regardless of the type of drying and verified significant loss of germination after this value. We conclude that the type of drying does not affect the quality of the seed; however, because it is a recalcitrant seed, reducing the water content below 32% decreased germination, and its degree of critical humidity and seeds with 22% moisture content had no germination in this study is the degree of lethal humidity of this species.
Key-words:
Canela-guaicá; Recalcitrant seed; Water content
