STORAGE OF <i>Handroanthus umbellatus</i> SEEDS

• Main Authors: Cibele Chalita Martins, Monalisa A. D. da Silva Camargo Pinto
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 2014-09-01
• Series: Ciência Florestal
• Subjects: Tabebuia umbellata; Handroanthus eximius; conservação de sementes; vigor.
• Online Access: http://cascavel.ufsm.br/revistas/ojs-2.2.2/index.php/cienciaflorestal/article/view/15725
• ISSN: 0103-9954; 1980-5098

<p class="Pa4"><a>http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509815725</a></p><p class="Pa4">Seed storage under controlled environmental conditions represents one of the most important lines of research to be applied on short-lived forest species as <em>Handroanthus</em>. The present research aimed to identify the most suitable seed storage conditions and longevity behavior of <em>Handroanthus umbellatus </em>seeds subject to the following storage treatments: packaging permeable paper bags under a no-controlled laboratory temperature and humidity (control) and multiwall semipermeable bag at temperatures of -18 ºC, 1 ºC and 25 ºC. Seeds were dried to 6.3% of water content. Stored seeds were evaluated every three months until 24 months for water content, germination percentage and vigor utilizing first counting test. Seeds of <em>T. umbellata </em>are orthodox, with low longevity under natural conditions, once they remain viable for less than 5 months. The best conditions of seed preservation of these species were obtained by storage at -18° C in multiwall bags. Under these conditions physiological seed quality remains unchanged for a 24-month period.</p>