ABSTRACT
Trema micrantha (Ulmaceae) is a common pioneer tree species in Brazil, much used in the São Paulo State for recovery of degraded areas. Preliminary conditions to favour the seed germination of T. micrantha were studied in this work. The fruits were harvested in Jaboticabal (SP) and separated into two maturation stages: of green colour and of green/red or red colours. The germination tests were carried out with fruits (fruits with pulp) and seeds (fruits without pulp), on sand and filter paper substrates, and under constant (25°C) and alternate (20-30°C) temperatures. An eight-hour photoperiod was used and the final percentage and the speed germination of the seeds were evaluated. It was found that the seeds didn't germinate at 25°C and the results obtained at 20-30°C showed that (a) seed germination wasn't affected by the tested substrates; (b) pulp removal favoured the seed germination; and (c) better physiological quality was obtained with seeds from green/red and red fruits.
Key words:
forest seed; maturation; pulp removal; substrate; temperature