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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Desiccation tolerance and storage of seeds of Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Brazil Wood), a species from the Atlantic Forest

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Author(s):
CLAUDIO  J. BARBEDO [1] ; DENISE A.C. BILIA [2] ; RITA DE CÁSSIA L. FIGUEIREDO-RIBEIRO [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Instituto de Botânica - Brasil
[2] Instituto de Botânica - Brasil
[3] Instituto de Botânica - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Rev. bras. Bot.; v. 25, n. 4, p. 431-439, 2002-12-00.
Abstract

The exploitation of Caesalpinia echinata reduced markedly the original geographic distribution of the species. The knowledge of seed physiology, mainly desiccation tolerance and storability, could be helpful for the conservation of the species and future recovery of degraded areas of the Atlantic Forest. Desiccation study was performed in four categories of seeds selected according to colour and size (I, II, III, and IV stages), being submitted to drying at 40 ºC and 50 ºC until 8% water content was reached. Freshly harvested and dried (9.7%) seeds were stored in cold chamber (7 ± 1 ºC) or in natural environment (22 ± 7 ºC) using packages with three different levels of permeability. Results showed that seeds of C. echinata are tolerant to desiccation (until 7.6% wet basis) and seed sensitivity to drying is dependent on the initial quality of the seed. Seeds stored in natural environment lost their viability in three months while under low temperatures germination was 80% after 18 months. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 00/06422-4 - Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Brazil-wood): from seed to wood, a model for studies on tropical Brazilian trees
Grantee:Rita de Cassia Leone Figueiredo Ribeiro
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants