The germination of endangered species Dalbergia nigra was studied and 30.5°C was found as optimum temperature, although the species presented a broad temperature range where germination occurs and light had no effect. The analysis of kinetics of seed germination confirmed the asynchronized germination below and above the optimum temperature. The light insensitive seed and germination also at high temperatures indicated that D. nigra could occur both in understories and gaps where the mean temperature was high.

RESUMOAs sementes de Caesalpinia peltophoroides absorvem água rapidamente e após 9 horas acumulam o conteúdo de 56% de água e perdem mais lentamente, necessitando de cerca de 20 horas para perder completamente a água absorvida. As sementes de Caesalpinia peltophoroides germinam na faixa de temperaturas de 15 a 25 °C, e não possuem fotossensibilidade independentemente dos tratamentos luminosos e das temperaturas testadas. Verificou-se que com a diminuição do potencial de água, ocorre nas sementes uma redução na germinabilidade e na velocidade de germinação sob luz branca. Sob condições de estresse de água, observa-se fotossensibilidade, em sementes de Caesalpinia peltophoroides, sendo a germinação inibida pela luz branca mediada pelo pigmento fitocromo.Palavras-chave: fotossensibilidade, germinabilidade, sibipiruna, fitocromo. ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF LIGHT, TEMPERATURE AND WATER STRESS ON SEED GERMINATION IN CAESALPINIA PELTOPHOROIDES BENTH. CAESALPINOIDEAESeeds of Caesalpinia peltophoroides absorb water and reach rapidly 56% of their water content after 9 hours. They lose water slowly, requiring 20 hours to completely lose imbibed water. Seeds of Caesalpinia peltophoroides germinated in the temperature range 15 to 25 o C. They did not show light sensitivity under different light types. We observed that low water potential reduced the germinability and germination rate. Under water stress those seeds were inhibited by white light mediated by phytochrome.