Seed germination of Astronium urundeuva (M. Allemão) Engl. and Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan in different substrates

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of different substrates on the germination and initial development of Astronium urundeuva and Anadenanthera colubrina. The substrates were: washed sand, vegetable soil, and vermiculite for A. urundeuva experiment; washed sand and vermiculite for A. colubrina experiment. The following variables were analyzed: percentage of emergence, emergence speed index, average emergence time, average emergence speed, synchronization index, first emergency count, and the relative frequency of emergence. For initial development, shoot and root length, number of leaves, and shoot, root and total dry mass were evaluated. The highest percentages of emergence for A. urundeuva (52%) and for A. colubrina (50.5%) were observed in vermiculite substrate. The use of vermiculite as substrate favored germination and initial development of A. urundeuva and A. colubrina.