Sub-zero temperature enables storage of seeds of Caesalpinia echinata Lam

Author(s)

Juliana Iura de Oliveira Mello ^[1] ; Rita de Cássia Leone Figueiredo-Ribeiro ^[2] ; Claudio José Barbedo ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Instituto de Botânica. Núcleo de Pesquisa em Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Plantas - Brasil

^[2] Instituto de Botânica. Núcleo de Pesquisa em Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Plantas - Brasil

^[3] Instituto de Botânica. Núcleo de Pesquisa em Sementes - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF SEED SCIENCE; v. 35, n. 4, p. 519-523, 2013-00-00.

Abstract

Seeds of brazilwood usually have their germinability quickly reduced if stored under natural conditions. Low temperatures, mainly sub-zero, can extend this viability for at least two years. However, there is no information about the germination behavior of these seeds for longer periods, aiming at the germoplasm bank formation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the viability of brazilwood seeds during five-year storage period at 2, 8 and -18 °C. Before storage, seeds were subjected to artificial drying (50 °C) until the moisture content reached 10%. The germination and the normal seedling development of seeds maintained at low temperatures did not differ from other treatment during the first year of storage. However, after two years only seeds stored at -18 °C kept high germination percentage. Seeds stored for five years at -18 °C showed high values of germination and normal seedling development; however, after this period it was possible to identify some symptoms of seed deterioration. Storage at sub-zero temperatures is considered as an important initiative to maintain Caesalpinia echinata seed banks, contributing to the conservation of plant biodiversity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/04139-7 - Carbohydrates of tropical species as modulators of ecophysiological processes and as environmental stress response markers
• Grantee: Marcia Regina Braga
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants