Methodology for seed germination and vigor tests of Bowdichia virgilioides

Abstract

Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth., a member of the Fabaceae family, is known as sucupira or paricarana. In addition to its medicinal properties, it has heavy, fibrous wood with ornamental features and high strength. Consequently, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the amount of water of the substrate, substrate temperature and the effect of different light regimes on germination and vigor of B. virgilioides seeds. In the first experiment, the volumes of water used for wetting the substrate were equivalent to 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 times the weight of the dry substrate, at constant temperatures of 25, 30 and 35 ºC, and alternating between 20-30 ºC. In the second experiment, the tested light regimes were white, green, red, far-red and dark light at constant temperatures of 25, 30 and 35 ºC and alternated between 20-30 ºC. A completely randomized design was used in both experiments, in a 5 x 4 factorial model, with four replicates of 25 seeds each. The variables analyzed included percentage, first count and index of germination speed, length and dry mass of roots and shoot length. The seeds of B. virgilioides germinated under all light regimes, and classified as neutral photoblastics. The combination of a 30 ºC temperature and volume of water 2.5 times larger than the weight of the dry substrate were shown to be the most appropriate conditions to perform the seed germination test of this species.