Influence of morphometry, drying, processing and substrate on the germination of Andira fraxinifolia Benth embryos

ABSTRACT

Andira fraxinifolia Benth. is a tree endemic to Brazil, native to Cerrado, Atlantic Forest and Caatinga. The fruits are indehiscent drupes, dispersed by bats. The wood is used in civil construction and produces good quality firewood. Its flowers have beekeeping potential, and the species, in addition to having medicinal property, can be used in restoration. This work evaluated the influence of processing, drying, morphometry and substrate on A. fraxinifolia embryo germination. The embryo removed from the fruits, after processing, was 30.5 mm long, 24.6 mm wide, 22.5 mm thick and 11.56 g in fresh mass. The germination of processed seeds had 54% success rate while non-processed only had 32%; besides processing reduced germination time from 79 to 42 days. The species has recalcitrant seeds, with a loss of 50% of germination in less than 3 days when embryo is extracted from the fruit. Embryo size did not interfere with seedling emergence and the vermiculite substrate was the most suitable for germination tests.

Keywords:
emergency; Leguminosae; recalcitrant