Evaluation of pre-germinative treatments in seeds of Cereus jamacaru DC subsp. jamacaru (Cactaceae)

José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra,Maria Haiele Nogueira Da Costa,Karina Vieralves Linhares,Maria Edilania Da Silva Serafim-Pereira,Marcos Aurélio Figueiredo Dos Santos,Cicero Dos Santos Leandro,Aline Belém Tavares,Tânia Kelly Mendes Feitosa,Suzana Gonçalves Santana Tavares,José Iago Muniz,Natália Barbosa Campos,Talina Guedes Ribeiro,João Pereira Da Silva-Junior,Maria Arlene Pessoa Da Silva,Elvis Estilak Lima,Viviane Bezerra Da Silva

doi:10.33448/rsd-v9i10.8369

José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra, Maria Haiele Nogueira Da Costa + Show 14 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i10.8369

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Abstract

Cereus jamacaru DC subsp. jamacaru (mandacaru) is an endemic species in Brazil belonging to Cactaceae of great ecological importance, as it is a pioneer in the colonization of arid and inhospitable environments, and contributes directly to the food chain for its fruits highly appreciated by fauna. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate, through chemical scarification, the germinative behavior of C. jamacaru subsp. jamacaru. The cactus seeds were collected in May 2016 in the city of Quixelô-CE-Brazil. The acids used in chemical scarification were acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, propionic acid and sulfuric acid for 5, 10 and 15 minutes. The seeds were placed in Petri dishes, and placed to germinate in a B.O.D. with a light/dark cycle of 12 hrs at 30 ºC. Daily readings were performed and analyzed: percentage of germination, Germination Speed Index (GSI) and mean germination time (Tm). The results indicate that acids negatively interfere in seed germination when compared to the control group, mainly acetic and propionic acid, since at the end of the experiment only 8% of the seeds germinated when subjected to acetic acid, and 4% to the propionic. In addition, there was also a significant increase in Tm. Thus, water is the best method of obtaining a higher percentage of germination of C. jamacaru subsp. jamacaru.

Highlights

The Cactaceae family is native to the Americas, where a high species richness occurs
Cereus jamacaru DC subsp. jamacaru is an endemic species in Brazil belonging to Cactaceae of great ecological importance, as it is a pioneer in the colonization of arid and inhospitable environments, and contributes directly to the food chain for its fruits highly appreciated by fauna
The results indicate that acids negatively interfere in seed germination when compared to the control group, mainly acetic and propionic acid, since at the end of the experiment only 8% of the seeds germinated when subjected to acetic acid, and 4% to the propionic

Summary

Introduction

The Cactaceae family is native to the Americas, where a high species richness occurs It is very important in maintaining ecosystems, especially in the Caatinga, given the production of various resources for the local fauna, such as fruits, nectar, pollen and water, participating directly in the food chain (Judd, Singer, & Singer, 2009; Cavalcante, Teles, & Machado, 2013; Gomes, Meiado, Quirino, & Machado, 2016). Jamacaru endemic to Brazil and popularly known as “mandacaru” (Cavalcante et al, 2013; Menezes, Taylor, & Loiola, 2013). It is a pioneer in the colonization of arid and inhospitable environments, especially rocks. The seeds pass through the birds' digestive tract and are scarified with the hydrochloric acid present in their proventricle, the seed's forehead becomes thin and more susceptible to the entry of water and oxygen. the seeds are released into the environment, they will be stored in the feces to which they provide water and substrate for the beginning of their germination (Traveset, Riera, & Mas, 2001; Gomes, Quirino, & Araujo, 2014)

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