Enterolobium schomburgkii (Benth.) Benth. seed germination under saline stress and polyamine application

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of salt stress by using NaCl and CaCl2 at the following osmotic potentials: 0 (control), -0.2, -0.3, and -0.4 MPa with and without putrescine application at 5 mM and 10 mM. E. Schomburgkii seeds were previously scarified with sandpaper in the region opposite to the radicle, treated with fungicides and allowed to germinate in the different treatments at 30°C. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2x4 (osmotic potentials x saline agents) factorial arrangement, with four replicates of 25 seeds each. After 11 months, a second experiment was carried out, in which putrescine concentrations of 5 and 10 mM were added and the experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2x4x2 (osmotic potentials x saline agents x putrescine concentrations) factorial arrangement. Germination percentage and velocity index (GVI) were evaluated. Germination percentage and GVI increased with lower potentials in seeds subjected to salt stress with CaCl2. Putrescine application (5mM) increased germination percentage and GVI at the most negative potentials.