Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

INTRA-AND INTER-POPULATION VARIATION IN SEED SIZE AND DORMANCY IN Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST

VARIAÇÃO ENTRE E DENTRO DE POPULAÇÕES EM TAMANHO E DORMÊNCIA DE SEMENTES DE Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake NA FLORESTA ATLÂNTICA

Seed size and dormancy level were studied in 20 trees from two populations of Schizolobium parahybato evaluate how these characteristics occurbetween and within populations, and whether seed germination was affected by its morphometry. These two populations are located in the coastal (Paraty) or mountain (Miguel Pereira) regions in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The seed morphometrictraits (length, width, thickness and weight) were measured. Germination with or without seedcoatdormancy treatment (mechanical scarification) wasassessedbya randomized emergence test in nursey. All morphometric traits differed significantly among individuals and between populations. The trees from the mountain region showed a larger seed size and a lower dormancy level than that of trees from the coastal region. Seed size had no effect on seed germination or seedling development. Climate influence on the determination of germination behavior is discussed based on the results.

forest seed; population diversity; seed morphometrictraits; germination


Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Av. Roraima, 1.000, 97105-900 Santa Maria RS Brasil, Tel. : (55 55)3220-8444 r.37, Fax: (55 55)3220-8444 r.22 - Santa Maria - RS - Brazil
E-mail: cienciaflorestal@ufsm.br