Dyckia goehringii is a bromeliad native from Cerrado (Brazilian savannah). Despite its high ornamental value, because of the silvery appearance of its leaves, it is not yet commercialized due to lack of information on its conservation and agronomic employment. The present investigation aimed to appraise the physical and physiological performance of seeds, during the imbibition and germination period, under several temperatures, as well as to establish temperature parameters for germination tests. The moisture content and the fresh and dry mass content of one hundred seeds were determined. The imbibition capacity, germination and vigour of seeds and seedlings of large and small seeds were observed under temperatures of 20ºC, 25ºC, 30ºC, and 35ºC. The results showed that there are no obstructions to water absorption and that this feature is influenced by seeds size. The best vigour and germination rate were observed to large seeds, which produce more vigorous seedlings than small seeds, mainly at 30ºC, and germination tests should be carried out on the 7th and 14th days after sowing.
Dyckia goehringii; seed vigour and size; imbibition