Evaluation of different pre-germinative methods for three tree species of the Fabaceae family in different environments

Abstract

The Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Pers., Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. and Cassia grandis L.f. species belong to the Fabaceae family, are characterized by their seeds present a dormant state, which limits the germination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of pre-germination treatments to overcome dormancy these species. Seeds were collected from matrix trees, located in Agreste of Alagoas and the research developed at the Federal University of Alagoas – Campus de Arapiraca. Overcoming of dormancy was studied in laboratory and greenhouse, where they were employed eight treatments with four replications of 25 seeds, in a completely randomized design: immersion in sulfuric acid (in three periods of immersion, depending on species), scarification with sandpaper, immersion in hot water at 80 °C (2.5 and 5 minutes), imbibition for 24 hours in distilled water and control (seeds without the application of any treatment). The evaluation of the results was made through of germination and emergence percentage; germination and emergence speed index and germination and emergence average time. The pre-germination treatments, mechanical scarification with sandpaper and chemical scarification with sulfuric acid in different immersion times were the most efficient to overcome the seeds dormancy of Sesbania virgata , Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Cassia grandis Independent of the studied environments.