Abstract
Luehea divaricata Mart. is tree is of great ecological and economic importance. This study investigated the effect of fruit maturation on the germination and vigor of L. divaricata. Fruits were harvested at three maturity stages (unripe or green, brown and open) defined by digital colorimetry and seeds extracted from each stage divided into lots of earliest harvested and stored. Germination test was conducted with four replicates of 25 seeds from each fruit maturity stage in plastic boxes under temperature of 30 ± 2 °C. The study was conducted in a 2 x 3 (two lots and three maturity stages) factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with four replications. Data was submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey at 5%. Germination, germination speed index, average root length and moisture content showed higher values for recently harvested seeds extracted from fruits of all maturity stages compared to stored seeds. LEA protein showed higher activity in seeds from fruits with brown epicarp color of both lots while α-amylase protein activity was higher in the stored seed lot. This shows that better seeds are those that are newly collected fruits and browns.
Highlights
Physiological maturity of fruits is important for determination of the ideal period for harvest, processing, drying, storage and quality control of seeds (AGUIAR et al, 2007)
We collected fruits of L. divaricata from seven mature trees located in the western region Parana state, Brazil, at three stages based on fruit epicarp color: green, brown, and ripe and open fruits
Seeds were sown using Germitest paper, moistened with 2.5 times its weight with distilled water (BRASIL, 2009) inside plastic boxes placed in germination chamber at 30±2° C, with a photoperiod of 12 hours of light
Summary
Luehea divaricata Mart. frequently known as açoita-cavalo, açoita-cavalo-miúdo, ibatingui, ivatingui, pau-de-canga, and caiboti (LORENZI, 2008) produces good timber for furniture (CARVALHO, 2008). Chiamolera et al (2011) recommended the species for forestry programs because of its high annual increment in stem diameter. In order to obtain high quality seeds it is necessary to pinpoint physiological maturation of both fruits and seeds which is not yet well documented in the production of reproductive structure of L.divaricata. Physiological maturity of fruits is important for determination of the ideal period for harvest, processing, drying, storage and quality control of seeds (AGUIAR et al, 2007). Seed physiological maturity is when seeds reach maximum physiological quality, vigor, germination, size and dry matter weight. Degenerative changes begin compromising germination and vigor (CARVALHO; NAKAGAWA, 2012). Seed physiological maturity is importance for definition of the ideal time to collect seeds with high physiological quality. In light of the above arguments, this essay aimed to determine changes during fruit maturation on germination and vigor of L.divaricata seeds
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