Maquira sclerophylla is a timber tree found in "terra firme" (non flooded) forest throughout the Amazon basin. The objectives of this study were to improve the basic knowledge of fruit, seed and seedling morphology and to observe the effect of constant temperatures between 10 and 35°C on seed germination and seedling development. M. sclerophylla has globular pseudodrupes that contain one large globular seed of about 5.4 g (fresh weight), on average, 80% of the fruit's mass. Germination is semihypogeal and phanerocotylar with fleshy and verdant cotyledons. Radicle protrusion occurred between 15 and 35°C, but normal seedling development was only observed between 20 and 30°C. The results indicate that the optimum temperature for seed germination is 30°C. Radicle protrusion occurred at this temperature after 18 days. The primary root, epicotyl and the first pair of foliage leaves of the seedlings were developed 37 days after sowing.
Effect of temperature; germination; seedling; Maquira sclerophylla; Moraceae