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Dormancy-breaking treatments and soil types on Chamaecrista rotundifolia emergence and initial development

Abstract

Chamaecrista rotundifolia is a legume of high yield and nutritional value for livestock; however, it presents high seed dormancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate dormancy-breaking methods and the influence of soil texture on seedling emergence and initial development of C. rotundifolia. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse in a split-plot design with five replications. There were three treatments including dormancy-breaking techniques with immersion of the seeds in (1) hot water at 80°C for 30 s followed by 12 h in water at room temperature (25 °C; HW); (2) water at room temperature (25 °C) for 24 h (EW); and (3) hydrochloric acid (0.05 mol L-1) for 15 min (HA) (4) and a control group with no seed intervention, disposed in the main plots in randomized blocks. Seeds were cropped in two types of soil as subplots. Seedling emergence was evaluated daily to calculate the percentage emergence and emergence speed index. Plant performance was evaluated (21 days after sowing) through measurements of mass and length of components. Chamaecrista rotundifolia showed a high degree of dormancy in the seeds, and the treatment using HW had greater efficiency in seedling emergence (p < 0.01) and emergence speed index (p < 0.05). Total dry mass was superior in sandy soil (p < 0.05). Soil texture and dormancy treatments influenced the initial performance of plants, which performed better in sandy soil.

Key words:
germination; legume; sandy; seed; soil texture

Resumo

A Chamaecrista rotundifolia é uma leguminosa com alto valor nutritivo e boa produção para a pecuária, no entanto apresenta elevada dormência em suas sementes. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os métodos de superação de dormência e a influência da textura do solo na emergência das plântulas e desempenho inicial. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, em delineamento com parcelas subdivididas e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em técnicas de superação de dormência com a imersão das sementes em (1) água quente a 80°C por 30 s, seguida pela imersão em água a temperatura ambiente por 12 h; (2) imersão em água a temperatura ambiente (25 °C) por 24 h e (3) imersão em ácido clorídrico (0,05 mol L-1) por 15 min, e um grupo controle (sem intervenção nas sementes) disposto nas parcelas em blocos casualizados. As sementes foram cultivadas em dois solos como subparcelas. Foi avaliada a emergência diária das mudas para calcular o percentual e o índice de velocidade de emergência. Aos 21 dias após a semeadura, o desempenho da planta foi avaliado por meio de medidas e massa dos componentes. O tratamento com água quente apresenta maior eficiência em promover a emergência de plântulas (p<0,01) e no índice de velocidade de emergência (p<0,05). O total de massa seca se destacou em solo arenoso (p<0,05). A textura do solo influencia os tratamentos de superação de dormência nos parâmetros de desempenho inicial das plantas, sendo observado melhor desempenho em solo arenoso.

Palavras-chave:
Germinação; Leguminosa; Arenoso; Semente; Textura de solo

Introduction

Legume forages are a low-cost form of nitrogen introduction to pastures, improving soil fertility and animal development11 Souza MS, Jardim AMRF, Araújo Júnior GNA, Silva JRI, Leite MLMV, Teixeira VI, Silva TGF. Ciclagem de nutrientes em ecossistemas de pastagens tropicais. Pubvet. 2018;12(5): 1-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.22256/pubvet.v12n5a91.1-9.
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. Chamaecrista (Chamaecrista rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene var. rotundifolia) is among many tropical legumes (Fabaceae) in Brazil. This species was improved in Australia, and currently, it is promising for intercropping in tropical pastures202 Cruz ED, Camarão AP, Simão Neto M. Forage production and nutritive value of Chamaecrista rotundifolia (Persoon) Greene in the eastern Amazon Brazil. Pasturas Tropicales. 1999;21(3): 46-48. Available from: https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/bitstream/doc/373156/1/Vol21rev3ano99art10.pdf.
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as well as an exclusive crop with yield and suitable chemical composition for hay production303 Abreu NL, Nascimento ALS, Pantoja RVL, Oliveira ISQ, Gomes JN, Faria LA. Épocas de corte na produtividade e valor proteico de forragem de Chamaecrista rotundifolia. Amazonian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 2020; 63. Available from: https://periodicos.ufra.edu.br/index.php/ajaes/article/view/3256
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.

Knowledge about C. rotundifolia in agriculturally productive environments is still being established through studies in the Amazon region. Moreover, there are some challenges for the establishment of this species as forage in tropical pastures in Brazil, as the seeds are commercially unavailable404 Lopes OMN. Chamaecrista rotundifolia - Leguminosa para controle de mato e adubação verde do solo. Altamira EMBRAPA Amazônia Oriental - Recomendações técnicas N° 11/2000 2001. Available from: https://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitstream/item/49380/1/fd160001.pdf.
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and present dormancy505 Lima MP, Silva CC, Oliveira SRRS, Saraiva MP, Rodrigues AE, Pamplona VMS, Quadros BR. Superação de dormência e qualidade da luz na germinação de sementes de Chamaecrhysta rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene. Brazilian Journal of Development. 2020;6(7):44068-44078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n7-141.
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.

Tegmental dormancy is common in Fabaceae606 Farias CCM, Lopes JC, Mengarda LHG, Maciel KS, Moraes CE. Biometria características físicas e absorção de água de sementes de Enterolobium maximum Ducke. Ciência Florestal. 2019;29(3):1241-1253. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5902/1980509814887.
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. Tegument is recognized as a seed protector against temperature fluctuations, humidity, and microorganism infection707 Agra PFM, Guedes RS, Silva MLM, Souza VC, Andrade LA, Alves EU. Métodos para superação da dormência de sementes de Parkinsonia aculeata L. Semina: Ciências Agrárias. 2015;36(3):1191-1202. Available from: DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n3p1191
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. However, the low capacity of water absorption of these seeds blocks the imbibition process, hindering embryo growth and, consequently, delaying germination and plant emergence808 Queiroz PC, Souza AR, Santos TM, Clemente JM, Duarte AR, Machado MG. Superação de dormência de sementes de mucuna-preta. Humanidades & Tecnologia em Revista (FINOM). 2019;18:68-75. Available from: http://revistas.icesp.br/index.php/FINOM_Humanidade_Tecnologia/article/viewFile/795/568.
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.

Delay in seed germination and seedling emergence generates inequality in crops, which is detrimental to agricultural production. According to Gautam et al.909 Gautam AK, Shrivastava AK, Samaiya RK. Effect of aqueous fertilizer on soil moisture content depth of seeding and seedling emergence for wheat. International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research. 2017;7(3):241-246. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333372377_EFFECT_OF_AQUEOUS_FERTILIZER_ON_SOIL_MOISTURE_CONTENT_DEPTH_OF_SEEDING_AND_SEEDLING_EMERGENCE_FOR_WHEAT
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, rapid, uniform, and complete emergence leads to vigorous seedlings with high yield potential by shortening the time from sowing to complete ground cover, thus allowing the establishment of an optimum canopy structure to minimize interplant competition and maximize crop yield.

In this context, seed dormancy is an undesirable characteristic for productive environments. For seed with integumentary dormancy, tegument rupture is necessary, allowing water absorption and metabolic activities to restart germination606 Farias CCM, Lopes JC, Mengarda LHG, Maciel KS, Moraes CE. Biometria características físicas e absorção de água de sementes de Enterolobium maximum Ducke. Ciência Florestal. 2019;29(3):1241-1253. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5902/1980509814887.
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. Nevertheless, germination delays caused by seed tegument may be overcome using techniques that vary from species to species. Nevertheless, techniques to break seed dormancy should be accessible to farmers.

Seedling emergence and plant initial development can also be influenced by sowing depth and available moisture as well as soil characteristics such as texture or fertility. Cruz et al.202 Cruz ED, Camarão AP, Simão Neto M. Forage production and nutritive value of Chamaecrista rotundifolia (Persoon) Greene in the eastern Amazon Brazil. Pasturas Tropicales. 1999;21(3): 46-48. Available from: https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/bitstream/doc/373156/1/Vol21rev3ano99art10.pdf.
https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/bits...
reported C. rotundifolia preference for sandy soils; however, high yield on clayey soil was obtained by Abreu et al.303 Abreu NL, Nascimento ALS, Pantoja RVL, Oliveira ISQ, Gomes JN, Faria LA. Épocas de corte na produtividade e valor proteico de forragem de Chamaecrista rotundifolia. Amazonian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 2020; 63. Available from: https://periodicos.ufra.edu.br/index.php/ajaes/article/view/3256
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.

Research on techniques to dormancy-breaking in C. rotundifolia aim to improve the plant’s establishment stimulating the species diffusion, and use it as forage in tropical environments. The aims of this study were to evaluate the methods to break C. rotundifolia dormancy and the influence of soil texture on the emergence and initial development of this species seedlings.

Materials and Methods

The research was performed in a greenhouse at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA) Campus Paragominas, Pará, Brazil (2°59’S and 47°21ꞌW).

Chamaecrista rotundifolia seeds were obtained from pods harvested on a pasture area when these presented a dark (brown to black) color. Afterwards, pods were exposed to sunlight covered by cotton tissue to avoid seed losses during disruption of pods. Seeds were collected and maintained in brown paper bags until use; then, seeds were manually selected according to color and size, excluding damaged seeds.

Experimental soils were classified as frank sandy, according to contents of 11.9%, 10.6%, and 77.5% clay, silt, and clay and, very clayey texture, according to contents of 77.4%, 12.6%, and 10.0% clay, silt, and clay, whereas, chemical parameters of soil fertility are shown in Table 1.

Table 1
Characterization of chemical parameters of soil fertility in the 0-20-cm depth layer

The experiment was performed on a split-plot design with five replications. The treatments comprised three dormancy-breaking techniques and a control group (with no seed intervention), disposed in the main plots in randomized blocks and two soil types in subplots.

Seeds were immersed in different solutions, comprising the dormancy-breaking treatments: seeds were immersed in (1) hot water (80 °C) for 30 s and in room-temperature water (25 °C) for 12 h (HW); (2) room-temperature water (25 °C) for 24 h (EW); (3) hydrochloric acid (0.05 mol L-1) for 15 min (HA) and was included a (4) control group (with no seed intervention). All seeds were cultivated in two soil types, sandy and clayey.

The experimental unit representing a plot consisted of a circular plastic container (Ø 25 cm) containing a plate of Styrofoam in the middle, dividing the container in two subplots, each filled with 2 kg of sandy or clayey air-dried, sieved soil. In each subplot, 25 seeds were planted 0.5 cm-deep. Plots were organized in blocks, according to their positions in the greenhouse. The soil was moistened with 60% water-holding capacity during the experimental period. Seedling emergence was evaluated daily between 8 and 9 AM until the removal of plants (21 d after sowing). Plant roots were cleaned using running water and dried with paper towels for fresh weight and length measurements. Subsequently, plants were placed in a forced air oven at 65 °C for 72 h to determine the dry mass content.

Data of percentage emergence were calculated using the formula proposed by Labouriau et al.1010 Labouriau LG, Valadares MEB. On the germination of seeds Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait.f. In: ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIÊNCIAS. Embrapa Cerrados. 1976;48:263-284.; the emergency speed index was determined using observations of daily emerged seedlings adjusted by the formula from Maguire1111 Maguire JD. Speed of germination and in selection and evaluation for seedling emergence and vigour. Crop Science. 1962;2:176-177..

Experimental data were analyzed using the statistical program SAS 9.4 (Statistical Analysis System Institute, Cary NC, USA). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed; if difference among treatments was determined, means were compared using Tukey’s test at 5% of probability. Dormancy-breaking and control treatments as well as the soil types, were considered fixed effects according to the following mathematical model:

yijk = μ + τ i + yk + eik + β j + τ β ij + ɛ ijk

yijk is value observed; µ, the experimental mean; τi, main plot treatment effect (dormancy-breaking treatments); γk, block effect; eik, plot residue; βj, effect of subplots (soil types); (τβ)ij, the main plot and subplot treatment interaction effect; and ϵijk is the subplot residue.

Results

Dormancy-breaking treatments influenced the emergence and initial development of C. rotundifolia. There was no effect of the interaction between soil types and dormancy-breaking treatments (p > 0.05) on parameters of seedling emergence and emergence speed index. Control group and dormancy-breaking treatments were statistically similar, except hot water treatment for seedling emergence (p < 0.01) and emergence speed index (p < 0.05) (Table 2).

Table 2
Seedling emergence (EME) and emergence speed index (ESI) for dormancy-breaking treatments

Seedling percentage emergence in the HW treatment was 171.9% (p < 0.01) higher than that in control, and 356.8% for emergence speed index (p < 0.05).

Soil types showed no effect on the emergence parameters (p > 0.05). There was 19.5% and 17.7% of seedling emergence in the sandy and clayey soils, respectively. For the emergence speed index, the soil types showed values of 7.8% and 6.2% for sandy and clayey soils, respectively.

Dormancy-breaking treatments showed no effect on most plant production parameters (p > 0.05), except for seeds treated with HW or HA, which showed higher aerial dry mass content than those of other treatments in sandy soil (Table 3).

Table 3
Fresh aerial mass (FAM), fresh root mass (FRM), total fresh mass (TFM), dry root mass (DRM), and total dry mass (TDM) of plants from dormancy-breaking treatments, and the effect of the interaction with soils types on dry aerial mass (DAM)

Both soil types showed high fertility standards (Table 1), but C. rotundifolia showed a preference for sandy soil for its initial development, based on the superior results of fresh aerial mass (p < 0.05), total fresh mass (p < 0.01), and total dry mass (p < 0.01). However, the mass of roots, fresh or dry, were similar (p > 0.05) (Table 4).

Table 4
Fresh aerial mass (FAM), fresh root mass (FRM), dry root mass (DRM), total fresh mass (TFM), and total dry mass (TDM) for different soils

Interaction of dormancy-breaking and soil treatments showed effects on the length parameters of C. rotundifolia plants (p < 0.05). HW had a positive influence on plant total and aerial length on sandy soil, which was not verified for plants in the clayey soil (Table 5).

Table 5
Total length (TL), root length (RL), and length of the aerial part (AL) of Chamaecrista rotundifolia submitted to treatments for seed dormancy breaking

In addition, the lower effect of HA on seedling emergence than that of other treatments (Table 2) reflected on plant length parameters, mostly on clayey soil (Table 5).

Discussion

Chamaecrista rotundifolia seed dormancy could be verified in this study through the low emergence of seedling in the control group and the increased emergence in other treatments (Table 2), corroborating the findings of Lima et al.505 Lima MP, Silva CC, Oliveira SRRS, Saraiva MP, Rodrigues AE, Pamplona VMS, Quadros BR. Superação de dormência e qualidade da luz na germinação de sementes de Chamaecrhysta rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene. Brazilian Journal of Development. 2020;6(7):44068-44078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n7-141.
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through the germination data. The low seedling emergence, especially in the control group, was possibly due to the low germination index associated with dormancy.

In this context, our results for percentage emergence are similar to those observed by Lima et al.505 Lima MP, Silva CC, Oliveira SRRS, Saraiva MP, Rodrigues AE, Pamplona VMS, Quadros BR. Superação de dormência e qualidade da luz na germinação de sementes de Chamaecrhysta rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene. Brazilian Journal of Development. 2020;6(7):44068-44078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n7-141.
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, in which there was 14% germination of C. rotundifolia seeds in a lab-controlled environment. These similarities could point to low soil influence on germination, confirmed by the absence of effects of soil, or its interaction, on treatments of dormancy-breaking.

According to Ribeiro et al.1212 Ribeiro IFN, Carvalho CA, Januário JL, Prado LS, Oliveira MCR, Oliveira RFS. Emergência de plântulas de jutaí (Hymenaea oblongifolia Huber. Fabaceae) em diferentes substratos. Scientia Naturalis. 2020;2(1):96-101. Available from: https://periodicos.ufac.br/index.php/SciNat/article/view/3508
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, substrate characteristics can influence seedling emergence; however, soil effects on seedling emergence and emergence speed index could be explained by the humidity control and superficial sowing of C. rotundifolia.

Another factor could also affect the germination, as seedling emergence was low and highly variable (high values of coefficient of variation) even in dormancy-breaking treatments (Table 2), which is the variable maturity stage of the seeds on the same pod, as is common in legumes.

A concern about this species is that seeds are usually collected before their natural dispersal. In addition, maturity can be a hardly visible characteristic, mainly in small-sized seeds, as described by Queiroz and Loiola1313 Queiroz RT, Loiola MIB. O gênero Chamaecrista Moench (Caesalpinioideae) em áreas do entorno do Parque Estadual das Dunas de Natal Rio Grande do Norte Brasil. Hoehnea. 2009;36(4):725-736. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S2236-89062009000400011
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to be 1-2 × 1-1.5 mm in trapezoid and honeycomb form. Nakagawa et al.1414 Nakagawa J, Zucareli C, Cavariani C, Gaspar-Oliveira C. Maturação de sementes de mucuna-preta. Bioscience Journal. 2007;23(1):41-47. Available from: http://www.seer.ufu.br/index.php/biosciencejournal/article/view/6381
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reinforced the need for caution regarding the definition of physiological maturity of seeds with dormancy because of the risk of interpretation mistakes.

However, thermal shock proportionated by HW increased seedling emergence (Table 2), corroborating with Lima et al.505 Lima MP, Silva CC, Oliveira SRRS, Saraiva MP, Rodrigues AE, Pamplona VMS, Quadros BR. Superação de dormência e qualidade da luz na germinação de sementes de Chamaecrhysta rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene. Brazilian Journal of Development. 2020;6(7):44068-44078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n7-141.
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, although these authors evaluated germination in a controlled environment.

The data presented in this study and by Lima et al.505 Lima MP, Silva CC, Oliveira SRRS, Saraiva MP, Rodrigues AE, Pamplona VMS, Quadros BR. Superação de dormência e qualidade da luz na germinação de sementes de Chamaecrhysta rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene. Brazilian Journal of Development. 2020;6(7):44068-44078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n7-141.
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highlight the necessity of dormancy-breaking techniques for C. rotundifolia. The superiority of HW over HA and control (Table 2) as well as 6.7 percentage units above that of water immersion treatment could indicate this technique as appropriate for C. rotundifolia. Lima et al.505 Lima MP, Silva CC, Oliveira SRRS, Saraiva MP, Rodrigues AE, Pamplona VMS, Quadros BR. Superação de dormência e qualidade da luz na germinação de sementes de Chamaecrhysta rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene. Brazilian Journal of Development. 2020;6(7):44068-44078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n7-141.
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also verified this same response of C. rotundifolia using 80 °C water for 5 and 10 s; Araújo et al.1515 Araújo JEVL, Nery MC, Mendonça Filho CV, Pires RMO, Nery FC, Fialho CMT. Germinação de sementes em função do tratamento pré-germinativo de Chamaecrista debilis (Vogel) Irwin e Barneby. Ciência Agrícola. 2017;15(1):1-7. Available from: http://repositorio.ufla.br/jspui/handle/1/30183
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found similar results for Chamaecrista debilis seeds treated with water at 100 °C for 5, 10, and 15 s.

Using sulfuric acid to break seed dormancy, Lima et al.505 Lima MP, Silva CC, Oliveira SRRS, Saraiva MP, Rodrigues AE, Pamplona VMS, Quadros BR. Superação de dormência e qualidade da luz na germinação de sementes de Chamaecrhysta rotundifolia (Pers.) Greene. Brazilian Journal of Development. 2020;6(7):44068-44078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n7-141.
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also obtained no statistical difference; however, these authors observed up to 30% on germination with acid treatment. Some possible factors could justify the low results on emergence with HA, such as insufficient exposure time of the tegument to the chemical attack or high chemical attack causing seed damage or providing a favorable environment for microorganism proliferation on seeds or both. The two last possibilities were observed by Dousseau et al.1616 Dousseau S, Alvarenga AA, Castro EM, Arantes LO, Nery FC. Superação de dormência em sementes de Zeyheria Montana Mart. Ciência e Agrotecnologia. 2007;31:1744-1748. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-70542007000600021
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by studying the seeds of Zeyheria montana Mart.

According to Poletto et al.1717 Poletto T, Muniz MFB, Poletto I, Baggiotto C. Métodos de superação de dormência da semente de nogueira-pecã Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch. Revista Árvore. 2015;39(6):1111-1118. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-67622015000600014.
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, embryo contact with the moisture and microorganisms on the substrate, before starting the germinative process, can harm the germination of the seeds that were previously submitted to scarification. Microorganism development on tissue fissures of the seed may cause rotting and germination infeasibility. However, according to Footitt and Cohn1818 Footitt S, Cohn MA. Seed dormancy in red rice VIII. Embryo acidification during dormancy-breacking and subsequent germination. Plant Physiology. 1992;100:1196-1202. Available from: DOI: 10.1104/pp.100.3.1196.
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, there are commonly less germination problems under HA.

In contrast to the similarity obtained between control and EW on seedling emergence (Table 2), Adegas and Voll1919 Adegas FS, Voll E. Embebição e germinação de sementes de picão-preto (Bidens pilosa). Planta Daninha. 2003;21:21-25. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-83582003000100003
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observed high germination of Bidens pilosa treated with water immersion for 12 h. Water absorption by seeds is directly correlated with time of exposure to water; however, the increase in absorption slows over time2020 Ferreira G, Guimarães VF, Pinho SZ, Oliveira MC, Richart A, Braga JF, Dias GB. Curva de absorção de água em sementes de atemóia (Annona cherimola mill. x Annona squamosa L.) cv. Gefner. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura. 2006;28:121-124. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-29452006000100033.
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. However, in this study, even 24 h was not enough to obtain significant effects on C. rotundifolia emergence.

Ineffective germination with water immersion treatment (Table 2) was also observed by Ferraz et al.2121 Ferraz D, Ramalho WP, Vale LSR. Methods for overcoming dormancy and seed storage of Enterolobium contortisiliquum. Acta Scientiarum Agronomy. 2019;41:e42602. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v41i1.42602
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on Enterolobium contortisiliquum. However, these authors observed improvements in seed germination by the combination of scarification and water immersion. A similar mechanism can explain HW results. Thermal shock can have physical action on the seed tegument, followed by rehydration after 12 h of immersion in room-temperature water, accelerating the germination process.

According to Pacheco and Matos2222 Pacheco MV, Matos VP. Método para superação de dormência tegumentar em sementes de Apeiba tibourbou Aubl. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias. 2009;4(1):62-66. Available from: DOI:10.5039/agraria.v4i1a10
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, thermal stress may be responsible for the weakening of the integumentary tissue, providing cracks that allow the absorption of moisture to trigger the germination process. Contradicting this study, this treatment had no effect on Schizolobium amazonicum, in which dormancy was broken with mechanical scarification2323 Carvalho MBF, Araujo MER, Mendonça AP, Chavez MS, Gutierrez KL, Ruiz FJP, Mocho AP. Métodos de superação de dormência da Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex Ducke. Brazilian Journal of Animal and Environmental. 2019;2(1):490-500. Available from: https://www.brazilianjournals.com/index.php/BJAER/article/view/1436/1323
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.

Effects of dormancy-breaking techniques can vary with species. Although mechanical scarification was not evaluated in this study, it could increase seed susceptibility to damage, mostly in the smallest seeds, as described by Araújo et al.1515 Araújo JEVL, Nery MC, Mendonça Filho CV, Pires RMO, Nery FC, Fialho CMT. Germinação de sementes em função do tratamento pré-germinativo de Chamaecrista debilis (Vogel) Irwin e Barneby. Ciência Agrícola. 2017;15(1):1-7. Available from: http://repositorio.ufla.br/jspui/handle/1/30183
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, who observed low efficiency of mechanical scarification on C. debilis.

The high value obtained for the emergence speed index in HW (Table 2) was probably a consequence of its positive effects on seedling emergence. The high dependency on endogenous stimulus and seed reserves from the other treatments, consequently, extending the time for germination and emergence, may have increased plant susceptibility. Low effect of dormancy-breaking techniques on mass production (Table 3) may be associated with the plant independence from seed reserves that may have been able to overcome the longer time required for germination in some treatments. However, higher aerial dry mass production in plants in the HW and HA treatments on sandy soil may be a consequence of the lightness and draining capacity of this type of soil.

Figueiró et al.2424 Figueiró CG, Macedo FF, Fialho LF, Silva CMS, Cândido WL. Efeito do recipiente e do método de superação de dormência no crescimento de mudas de Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F. Blake. Enciclopédia Biosfera. 2017;14(25):490-497. Available from: https://www.conhecer.org.br/enciclop/2017a/agrar/efeito%20do%20recipiente.pdf
https://www.conhecer.org.br/enciclop/201...
also verified positive effects of dormancy-breaking techniques on initial development of Schizolobium parahyba plants, and Martins et al.2525 Martins AG, Rampim L, Rosset JS, Prior M, Coppo JC. Aplicação de bioestimulante em sementes de milho cultivado em solos de diferentes texturas. Scientia Agraria Paranaensis. 2016;15(4):440-445. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18188/sap.v15i4.13028
https://doi.org/10.18188/sap.v15i4.13028...
observed better initial corn development in sandy soil. Moreover, Cruz et al.202 Cruz ED, Camarão AP, Simão Neto M. Forage production and nutritive value of Chamaecrista rotundifolia (Persoon) Greene in the eastern Amazon Brazil. Pasturas Tropicales. 1999;21(3): 46-48. Available from: https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/bitstream/doc/373156/1/Vol21rev3ano99art10.pdf.
https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/bits...
already reported C. rotundifolia preference for sandy soils. Soil texture can influence processes such as compaction, water draining, and biological nitrogen fixation; thus, these results may be related to the soil physical characteristics (Table 4).

HA treatment associated with clayey soil can probably increase seed and plant susceptibility to damage or offer a propitious environment for microorganisms. According to Santos et al.2626 Santos FEM, Sobrosa RC, Costa IFD, Corder MPM. Detecção de fungos patogênicos em sementes de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild). Ciência Florestal. 2001;11: 13-20. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5902/19805098491.
https://doi.org/10.5902/19805098491...
, damage to seeds can affect germination, seedling emergence, and growth; however, damage intensity depends on the infecting pathogen.

High variability was also observed for the productive parameters of plants (high values of coefficient of variation). This variability among plants may be reduced in advanced growth stages; however, it is a performance resulting from a low degree of domestication or occurrence of crosses between domestic and wild species. According to Cavalho et al.2727 Carvalho JMFC, Silva MMA, Medeiros MFL. Perda e Conservação dos Recursos Genéticos Vegetais. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Algodão Campina Grande, PB - Documentos 221 2009. https://www.infoteca.cnptia.embrapa.br/infoteca/bitstream/doc/656849/1/DOC221.PDF
https://www.infoteca.cnptia.embrapa.br/i...
, crosses between domestic and wild species may result in incompatibility and undesirable characteristics in the progeny. This increase in genetic diversity may lead to decreased yield, among other undesirable characteristics.

Treatments to break C. rotundifolia seed dormancy are required, aiming for better results in seedling emergence and initial development of plants. The search for maximum seed efficiency is important mostly because of the absence of commercial seeds404 Lopes OMN. Chamaecrista rotundifolia - Leguminosa para controle de mato e adubação verde do solo. Altamira EMBRAPA Amazônia Oriental - Recomendações técnicas N° 11/2000 2001. Available from: https://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitstream/item/49380/1/fd160001.pdf.
https://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/...
and the laborious seed collection in the field.

In this context, HW could be a viable and accessible technique to break the dormancy of C. rotundifolia seeds, mostly for cultivation in soils with sandy texture. These results reinforce the importance of this species for Brazilian cattle breeding sited on sandy and low-fertility soils, highlighting the necessity of improved mechanisms to establish this species as a commercial crop.

Conclusions

Seedling emergence and some parameters of initial plant development of C. rotundifolia can be improved by dormancy-breaking techniques.

The association of dormancy-breaking techniques and soil types affected C. rotundifolia initial development. Positive effects were observed using HW and sandy soil, whereas negative effects were observed on the arrangement of HA and clayey soil.

Thermal shock using HW is recommended to break the dormancy of C. rotundifolia seeds to improve seedling emergence parameters.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    03 May 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    17 Nov 2020
  • Accepted
    04 Dec 2020
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