Diaspores (pyrenes) of Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) H.B.K., of Cristo, Santarém 2 and Tocantins 1 clones, of the Embrapa Eastern Amazon Germplasm Bank, were characterized and subjected to pre-germinative treatments in order to increase the percentage and accelerating germination of seeds. In characterization, the following aspects were considered: weight, length, width, number of seeds and locules per pyrene and endocarp thickness. Treatments to overcome dormancy consisted of: a) pre-soaking the diaspores in a solution of gibberellic acid (500 mg L-1), b) pre-soaking in water followed by fractures in the endocarp, and c) pre-soaked in gibberellic acid with subsequent fracture of the endocarp. A control treatment, represented by pyrenes not submitted to treatment for overcome dormancy, was added for comparison purposes. The diaspores of the three clones, with most frequency, contain more than one seed. The presence of seedless pyrenes was only 1% in Cristo and Santarém 1 clones. On the other hand, in the Tocantins 1 clone the proportion of seedless pyrenes was 4%. The Christ clone diaspores showed higher mass and larger size than the other two clones. In terms of average number of seeds per pyrene similar values were observed in Christ (1.7) and Santarém 2 (1.8) clones, while this value was lower in Tocantins 1 (1.3) clone. The three clones showed similar endocarp thickness. The pre-germination treatments induced increases in germination percentage and reductions in mean time to germination, with more significant responses when the pyrenes were previously soaked in gibberellic acid solution or water and then subjected to the fracture of the endocarp.
Byrsonima crassifolia; tropical fruit; germination
