Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of Melanoxylon brauna Schott. tree legume seeds to desiccation and storage. In the drying experiment, the Melanoxylon brauna seeds were submitted to two drying conditions: a forced air circulation chamber (40.18 °C ± 0.13 and 28.48% ± 3.95 RH) and a silica gel desiccator (27.19 °C ± 1.28 and 26.19% ± 0.94 RH) for different times (0, 12, 24, 36, 72, and 144 hours). A completely randomized design in a 2 (drying methods) × 5 (drying times) factorial scheme plus control and 4 replications of 25 seeds was used. The following variables were evaluated before and after drying: seed moisture content, percentage of germinated seeds, germination speed index, percentage of mortality, normal and abnormal seedlings. In the storage experiment the seeds were divided into two batches: pre-dried (at 5.0% humidity) and without drying (control at 8.9% humidity). The seeds were then stored in plastic bags in three environments: refrigerator at 5 °C, freezer at -20 °C and room temperature (29 °C). The seeds were removed every four months and submitted to the humidity and germination test for 24 months. Data from this storage experiment were analyzed considering a randomized block design in a 2 (drying levels: presence and absence) × 3 (storage environments: refrigerator, freezer or room temperature) factorial scheme + 2 controls (with and without drying at baseline) and 4 repetitions of 25 seeds. Drying reduced initial seed water content from 8.9% to 5.0%, without loss of viability. Drying in the chamber at 40 °C was faster and more efficient than in silica gel. The results enable classifying the seeds of this species as orthodox, i.e. tolerant to desiccation. The fridge and freezer were efficient for storing the Melanoxylon brauna seeds up to 24 months, independent of previous drying, while storing the seeds at room temperature with previous drying makes them last longer than without drying, as the seeds can last up to 16 months with drying, or 12 months without drying.
Highlights
Melanoxylon brauna Schott, popularly known as brauna or black-brauna, is an endemic species from Brazil native to the Caatinga, Cerrado and Mata Atlântica biomes (Lima, 2015; Rando et al, 2019)
The M. brauna seeds presented initial moisture content of 8.9%, which significantly reduced (p
There was a significant difference between the average moisture content of the control and the average for 36h, 72h and 144h drying in both the chamber at 40 °C and silica gel (Table 1)
Summary
Melanoxylon brauna Schott, popularly known as brauna or black-brauna, is an endemic species from Brazil native to the Caatinga, Cerrado and Mata Atlântica biomes (Lima, 2015; Rando et al, 2019) It is a slow growing species and can reach up to 25 m in height, with its wood being used in heavy and exposed construction works, in manufacturing beams, posts and wooden sleepers because it is considered as one of the most resistant materials to attack from xylophagous organisms and has high density (Carvalho, 2010). Storage is an important method for maintaining seed longevity over time (Parrella, 2011)
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Schedule a callMore From: Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
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