Do polyembryonic seeds of Carapa surinamensis (Meliaceae) have advantages for seedling development?

Débora Najara De Souza Ferreira,Isolde Dorothea Kossmann Ferraz,José Luís Campana Camargo

doi:10.1590/1809-4392201801211

Débora Najara De Souza Ferreira, Isolde Dorothea Kossmann Ferraz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4392201801211

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Journal: Acta amazonica	Publication Date: Apr 1, 2019
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: National Institute of Amazonian Research

Abstract

ABSTRACT Polyembryony is the differentiation and development of multiple embryos in a single seed. This characteristic can provide advantages, as more than one embryo is produced with the same amount of resources, and the probability of establishment of at least one seedling increases. However, sibling seedlings may also increase competition, affecting development and survival. In the present study, the possible advantages and disadvantages of polyembryony were analyzed in the initial establishment of seedlings of Carapa surinamensis (Meliaceae), a tree species that produces monoembryonic or polyembryonic seeds. In this regard, the development of single seedlings was compared with a pair of seedlings emerging from polyembryonic seeds. We compared the development of seedlings attached to or detached from each other and to the seed resources. We observed two levels of competition: (a) for the seed reserves during germination and initial development, as multiple embryos of C. surinamensis share the same reserves, and (b) for external factors, mostly space for root and shoot development, and also for light. Reducing the competition for external factors by separating the siblings was not enough to reduce the effects of competition for seed reserves in the first six months of development. Nevertheless, viable seedlings were produced in all treatments. Thus, depending on sprout management in the nursery, the number of seedlings per seed can be significantly increased by detaching the seedlings, or more vigorous seedlings can be obtained when only one seedling is maintained.

Highlights

At least two species of the genus Carapa have been recorded in central Amazonia: C. guianensis (Aubl.) and C. surinamensis (Miq.)
Multiple embryonic axes were recorded for C. surinamensis (Fisch et al 1995, Amoêdo and Ferraz 2017), which was previously designated as Carapa procera
As the consequences of multiple embryos of C. surinamensis for seedling development and establishment are not known, we evaluated the consequences of polyembryony for initial seedling development by comparing single and sibling seedlings from both monoembyonic and polyembryonic seeds, without focusing on their possible genetic similarities or differences

Summary

Introduction

At least two species of the genus Carapa have been recorded in central Amazonia: C. guianensis (Aubl.) and C. surinamensis (Miq.). The trees occur predominantly along rivers and creeks, and in unflooded forest (Kenfack 2011). These multiple-use trees, commonly known in Brazil as andiroba, or crabwood on the international market, are important to the local economy, their wood being employed in the construction and furniture industries (Bauch and Dünisch 2000). Multiple embryonic axes were recorded for C. surinamensis (Fisch et al 1995, Amoêdo and Ferraz 2017), which was previously designated as Carapa procera (see Kenfack 2011). Despite the absence of information on the origin and development of multiple seedlings in Carapa, the phenomenon is unusual in Meliaceae (Ghosh 1972; Carman 1997; Wilde 2007; Rai 2014; Hiwale 2015)

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