MECHANICAL TECHNIQUE FOR OVERCOMING DORMANCY IN BARU SEEDS (Dipteryx alata Vog.)

Abstract

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) is a species native to the Cerrado biome and is highly versatile in its exploitation methods, both for its products and services. This species can be used for food, forage, timber, medicinal, and industrial purposes, in addition to contributing to ecological services in the recovery of degraded areas. This study aimed to obtain basic information on the influence of baru seed isolation and the use of a germination chamber on the germination process of the species. This work was developed at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Goiás - Posse Campus. The methodology adopted was baru seed isolation through mechanical scarification with a vise, seed asepsis, and sowing in polyethylene trays containing washed sand with a 2 mm particle size as a substrate. The germination process was conducted in a germination chamber at a temperature of 26°C and a 16-hour photoperiod. Emergence began six days after sowing, with 76.44% of the seeds germinated, and ended on the thirteenth day with 91.05% germination, equivalent to 234 seeds. Thus, seed isolation and the use of the germination chamber proved effective in overcoming the physical dormancy of baru seeds due to integumentary rigidity.

DOI: 10.56238/edimpacto2025.051-002