Biometry of fruits and seeds and germination of Plathymenia reticulata Benth. And plathymenia foliolosa Benth. (Fabaceae - Mimosoideae)

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the biometry of fruits and seeds, as well as the effect of different scarification, temperature and light conditions on the germination of Plathymenia reticulata Benth. and Plathymenia foliolosa Benth. We measured the length, width, thickness, and fresh mass of fruits (n= 100) and seeds (n= 100) of each specie. The different treatments were mechanic and acid scarification, temperatures (photoperiod/ nictoperiod) of 20, 30 and 35/15 °C (12/12 and 0/24) and 25 and 35 °C (12/12). P. foliolosa fruits were wider, thickener and heavier. Its seeds are longer and thicker than those of P. reticulata. Seeds of both species were not photosensitive. Acid scarification did not increase significantly the percentage of seed germination of both species, but mechanic scarification increased significantly the percentage of seed germination for P. foliolosa. The percentage of germination at 25 °C of intact seeds of P. reticulata, scarified with acid and with sandpaper was, respectively, 55%, 60% and 89%. For seeds of P. foliolosa values obtained were, respectively, 48%, 37.5% and 83%. These results indicate limitations of germination of P. foliolosa imposed by the tegument but the effect of tegument restringing the germination of intact seeds decrease with the increase of temperature.