Seeds of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) collected from fallen fruits on the soil surface under the tree and those from maturing fruits still on the tree were submitted to the following treatments: humid heating (80ºC/15 min), dry heating (80ºC/15 min and 50ºC during 30,60,90 and 120 min), gibberellic acid 100 mg/1 (24h) and 6-benzylamynopurine 10-4M (24h), concentrated sulphuric acid (1 h) and running tap water (48h). Seeds of fruits collected from the soil surface, with part of the mesocarp removed, and those maturing fruits from the tree, with intact mesocaip, were stored at 5ºC during 30 days, followed or not by addition of GA3 100mg/l. It was observed that seed germination started consistently 9 months after sowing and that there was no significant difference between germination of seed proceeding from maturing fruits (85%) and those collected from the soil surface (67%). Seeds treated with 80ºC/15 min., with conc. sulphuric acid 1 h and stratified at 5ºC during 30 days germinated at a smaller percentage than controls. Other treatments did not affect significantly seed germination when compared with the control.
Caryocar brasiliense; "pequi"; germination; "cerrado"