Mobilização de água e conservação da viabilidade de embriões de sementes recalcitrantes de ingá (Inga vera Willd. subsp. affinis (DC.) T. D. Pennington)

Abstract

The water content of anhydrobiotic (orthodox) seeds is usually reduced to low values and its metabolism is reduced to a level that viability can be preserved for long periods. In contrast, typical non-anhydrobiotic (recalcitrant) seeds are intolerant to desiccation, possess lower longevity, and need a minimum water level to maintain viability, but the metabolism is still too active leading to a short seed longevity. In the present research "inga" seed embryos were stored in contact with polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) solutions, at pre-defined water potential with the objective of improving storability and longevity. Results indicated that germination of embryos kept in PEG solution at -2.4 MPa was higher than 80% after 90 days of storage at 10°C, while the germination of embryos kept at distilled water (0 MPa), at the same temperature, was lower than 60%.