Tamanho de frutos e de sementes e sua influência na germinação de jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa var. stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne, Leguminosae - Caesalpinoideae)

Abstract

This study describes the biometry of the fruits and seeds of a population of Hymenaea stigonocarpa var. stigonocarpa. The effect of seed weight on the proportion and time of germination was evaluated under laboratory (BOD incubator) and nursery conditions, considering as criteria for germination, primary root protusion and eophylum expansion. This population of H. stigonocarpa var. stigonocarpa varied significantly in fruit and seed size with seed weights ranging between 0.546 and 7.666 g and classified as small, medium and large. A higher proportion of medium-sized seeds emitted the primary root compared to large seeds, whereas small seeds showed an intermediate pattern. However, seed weight did not influence the proportion of seeds that expanded the eophylum. The primary root of large seeds emerged faster than those of small ones. The mean time of eophylum expansion decreased with decreasing seed weight. The results showed that although medium and small seeds have a higher probability of producing the primary root, they also show a greater mortality rate in transition to the eophylum expansion stage.