DETERMINATION OF QUALITY AND VIGOR IN SEEDS OF SOME NATIVE FOREST SPECIES FROM DIFFERENT COLLECTING NETWORKS

• Grant number: 23/11344-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Elza Alves Corrêa
• Grantee: Vitor Nunes Nakazawa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus do Vale do Ribeira. Registro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Different techniques of forest restoration have been applied, aiming to enhance the effective results of forest establishment. There is a history that involves distinct restoration methodologies, which have focused on the use of direct seeding, mainly due to its potential and advantages. This technique involves using seeds instead of seedlings and is considered a potential alternative for forest restoration. Thus, this study aims to develop methodologies and technologies for the seeds of some native species from the Atlantic Forest for the establishment of permanent preservation areas through direct seeding. Additionally, the study aims to compare the vigor of seed lots from the same species originating from different sources. The seed lots have already been collected by the Seed Networks that make up the Seed Network (Redário), affiliated with the ISA (Socioenvironmental Institute), and have been sent to the laboratory to initiate activities. The study will be conducted at São Paulo State University (UNESP), at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of Vale do Ribeira, Campus of Registro. Five seed lots of each of the following native forest species will be used: annatto (Bixa orellana), angico (Anadenanthera colubrina), araribá (Centrolobium tomentosum), fedegoso (Senna macranthera), and tamboril (Enterolobium contortisiliquum). The lots will be obtained through donations from the seed networks belonging to the Redário: Associação Rede de Sementes do Xingu, Refloresta, Flora Tiete, Vale do Paraíba, Rede de Sementes do Vale do Ribeira, and Rede de Sementes do Cerrado. Each of the five lots from each seed network will be received and evaluated for the physical attributes of the seeds (purity, moisture content, thousand-seed weight, mass, sample size), physiological attributes (germination in the laboratory at a constant temperature of 25°C, mean germination time, germination speed index, seedling length, dry seedling biomass, and seed electrical conductivity). The obtained results will be compared based on the origin of each species. The dissemination of knowledge generated by the project will occur through standard means of scientific knowledge dissemination, such as presenting preliminary results at conferences, scientific meetings (preliminary data from physical evaluation are being prepared for publication in CIC/UNESP), and publishing scientific articles in journals. Technical publications, such as articles in dissemination magazines, and lectures at regional events promoted by the ISA, will also be carried out.