Conservation and physiological quality of Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose (Bignoniaceae) seeds.

• Autor(a) principal: SILVA, J. de J.
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: ALENCAR, S. de S., GOMES, R. A., MATIAS, J. R., PELACANI, C. R., DANTAS, B. F.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da EMBRAPA (Repository Open Access to Scientific Information from EMBRAPA - Alice)
• Texto Completo: http://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1146060; http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v44257812
• topic: Mata seca; Handroanthus spongiosus; Espécie arbórea; Floresta seca; Semente; Caatinga; Germinação; Longevidade; Armazenamento; Fisiologia; Dry forests; Germination; Longevity; Storage

Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose is an endangered tree species. However, its seed quality, storage, and conservation strategies are issues still unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of H. spongiosus seeds subjected to different storage times, packaging, and environments for their conservation. A completely randomized experimental design was used, in a double factorial arrangement with an additional treatment (recently-harvested seeds), consisted of five storage times (up to 24 months) and six storage conditions, combining packaging types (permeable and impermeable) and environments (room, cold chamber, freezer, and liquid nitrogen conditions). Seed germination percentage and normal seedling percentage, shoot length, root length, and root to shoot dry weight ratio were evaluated. The seed germination and normal seedling percentages of H. spongiosus seeds conserved under room conditions decreased over the storage time. Normal seedling percentages decreased from the 12th month of storage onwards. Low and ultralow temperatures are recommended for short and medium-term conservation of H. spongiosus seeds, since they did not affect the growth of seedlings.