Seeds of D. virgatus are present in the cerrado soil seed bank. The aim of this study was to verify whether this species could be used in recuperation programs of the cerrado areas. The germination of seeds was studied in light and darkness at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35ºC. Seeds were stored at 4ºC, and buried in cerrado and forest soils for up to 12 months, with germination being tested. Plants were cultivated in cerrado and forest soils in 8, 12, 16 and 20h photoperiods. Seeds are positively photoblastic and remain viable for at least 12 months the best temperature for germination being 25ºC. In general, plants grew better during longer photoperiods. Flowering was observed only in plants growing in the cerrado soil, and at 12h, and 16h photoperiods. Considering the plants grow fast and that the seeds remain viable in the soil for a long period, we can recommend the use of the species for revegetation purposes in the cerrado.
cerrado; seed storage; plant development; photoperiod