PRE-GERMINATION TREATMENTS IN BRAZILWOOD SEEDS AT SEEDLING EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The brazilwood (Caesalpinia echinata) is a species of Atlantic Forest considered a national symbol of Brazil. The wood is heavy, smooth, and hard, and highly resistant to xylophagous organisms. Brazilwood seeds may present dormancy and initial germination difficulties. The objective of this study was to evaluate different methods for stimulating the emergence and development of brazilwood seedlings. The research was carried out in the seedling nursery of IFES-Campus Santa Teresa. The seeds were subjected to the following immersion treatments for 60 minutes: natural water (26°C) as a control; gibberellin solution at 1000 mg. L-1,2000 mg. L-1, 3000 mg. L-1 and 4000 mg. L-1, NaCl solution 9 g.L-1; KCl solution 50 g.L-1 and coconut water. They were then sown in 150 mL tubes containing commercial substrate. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with 8 treatments and four replications. After 30 days from the beginning of emergence, the percentage of emergence was evaluated, and after 90 days of emergence, the number of leaves was evaluated; plant height; stem diameter; root length; green mass of the aerial part; shoot dry mass; green root mass; dry root mass. Immersion in coconut water promoted the highest percentage of seedling emergence. The dose is 4000 mg. L-1 of GA3, Solution of 9 g.L-1 of NaCl and 50 g.L-1 of KCL provided the highest values related to growth and higher production of leaf and root dry matter in brazilwood seedlings.