Phytotoxicity of mercury and mechanical scarification in Sapindus saponaria L. propagation

• Main Author: Lafetá, Bruno Oliveira
• Publication Date: 2019
• Other Authors: Nascimento, Lucimeiri Alves, Azevedo, Carlos Henrique Souto, Penido, Tamires Mousslech Andrade, Oliveira, Luiz Felipe Ramalho de
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Caderno de Ciências Agrárias (Online)
• Download full: https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/ccaufmg/article/view/15972
• topic: Desenvolvimento de plântulas; Germinação; Óxido de mercúrio II; Seedling development; Germination; Mercury II oxide

Soil contamination by mercury is a serious environmental problem, with potential for food chain biomagnification and damage to human health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of HgO on germination and seedling development of Sapindus saponaria submitted to mechanical scarification. The experiment was established in completely randomized design with four repetitions of 25 seeds, in 4 x 2 factorial arrangement, being studied the effect of four concentrations of HgO in vermiculite (C1 – 0.000 g/cm3;.C2 – 0.025 g/cm3; C3 – 0.050 g/cm3 e C4 – 0.075 g/cm3) and two pre-treatments (P1 – Control: seeds with intact integument and P2 – mechanical scarification with electric emery). Attributes related to germination and seedling development were evaluated. F-test, regression analysis and paired t-test were performed, all of the 5.0 % statistical significance. Mechanical scarification with electric emery favored seed imbibition (100.0%), germination (85.25%) and emissions of lateral roots (70.0%) and shoot (76.25%). The presence of mercury in vermiculite impaired seedling development. It was concluded that mechanical scarification with electric emery can be indicated to overcome seed dormancy of S. saponaria. This species tolerate low concentrations of HgO (0.0045 g/cm3) without causing further damage to its growth and accumulation of green mass.