Large-scale ecological restoration programs across the world involve a voluminous demand for native seeds of diverse native plant species. In this article, we explore how institutional systems have operated and impacted native seed supply in Brazil. Native seed supply for restoration is essentially a community-based activity which faces broad barriers to operating within regulations because of requirements for excessive and costly technical documentation, scarcity of seed laboratories, and lack of instructions for native seed quality testing. Although decentralized seed networks have stimulated arrangements for local organizations to promote seed supply, policies constrain the development of local capacities and the ongoing sustainability of these organizations. These conditions have resulted in a vast network of informal collectors and producers who are largely "invisible" and unknown to the regulatory authorities. Policies have decentralized responsibilities from the state without devolving decision-making power to the multiple stakeholders engaged in policy elaboration. The policies maintain the centralized regulation of native seed supply. After examining Brazilian seed networks' experiences and conducting discussions with stakeholders and experts, we suggest adapting the current regulations to more local level contexts, encompassing the following strategies: (1) ensuring native seed origin and identity; (2) relaxation of the laboratory accreditation process for native seed quality assurance; (3) fostering seed markets for restoration; (4) research to provide technological innovation; (5) supporting local, diverse, and small seed-based businesses.

RESUMOO trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de métodos de quebra de dormência em sementes de Albizia pedicellaris em laboratório. Foram aplicados 10 tratamentos pré-germinativos: escarificação química com imersão em ácido sulfúrico por 5, 10, 15 e 30 minutos, escarificação física, seguida ou não de embebição em água por 6, 12 e 24 horas, choque térmico e testemunha. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 4 repetições, com 25 sementes por unidade experimental. Os seguintes parâmetros foram avaliados: percentual de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, número de plântulas normais, número de plântulas anormais, mortalidade. Com base nos resultados indicam-se como tratamentos para quebra de dormência da A. pedicellaris a escarificação mecânica seguida ou não de embebição por 6 ou 12 horas ou a imersão em ácido sulfúrico por 30 minutos.Palavras-chave: germinação, sementes florestais nativas, sementes duras. Dormancy breaking of Albizia pedicellaris (DC.) L. Rico seeds ABSTRACTThe study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of seeds dormancy breakage methods for Albizia pedicellaris in laboratory. Seeds were treated with ten pre-sowing treatments: chemical scarification using sulfuric acid for 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes, physical scarification followed or not by immersion in water for 6, 12 and 24 hours, thermal shock and control. Completely randomized design was used with four replications of 25 seed per experimental unit. The followings variables were evaluated: germination percentage, speed germination index, normal seedlings number, abnormal seedling number, and mortality. The results indicate that the most efficient method to overcome dormancy was mechanical scarification followed or not by immersion for 6 or 12 hours or immersion in sulfuric acid for 30 minutes.

Estudos fenológicos podem servir de subsídio para ações de colheita de sementes e recuperação de áreas degradadas, contribuindo para a conservação das espécies florestais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer a época de floração e frutificação de 21 espécies arbóreas nativas em área fragmentada de Mata Atlântica em Itaboraí, RJ. Foram acompanhadas mensalmente 91 matrizes, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2011. A maior parte das espécies floresceu no final da estação seca e início da chuvosa, tendo sido observada correlação moderada e negativa entre floração e fotoperíodo. Observaram-se dois picos de frutificação: de março a abril para as espécies zoocóricas, e de setembro a outubro para espécies não zoocóricas, com correlação positiva entre precipitação e frutificação de espécies zoocóricas. Foi alta a incidência de patógenos nos frutos, comprometendo a produção de sementes de Machaerium hirtum, Melanoxylon brauna, Machaerium brasiliense e Psidium guineense. Outras espécies apresentaram baixa produção de frutos, como Andira sp., Swartzia oblata, Guarea guidonea e Enterolobium glaziovii. A sincronia de floração e frutificação entre as matrizes foi baixa para a maioria das espécies. A falta de trabalhos de fenologia para a maioria das espécies estudadas (52%) reforça a necessidade de pesquisa para a região de estudo

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of inoculation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the development of Tachigali vulgaris seedlings under nursery conditions. The seedlings were produced in 1 kg bags on a substrate of sand and vermiculite (1:1), following a completely randomized experimental design in a 3 (NFB) x 2 (with and without AMF) factorial scheme with 3 additional control treatments consisting of: seedlings inoculated only with AMF (mycorrhizal control), non-inoculated seedlings fertilized with N (nitrogenized control) and without N (absolute control). The following variables were evaluated: height, stem diameter (SD), shoot dry mass (SDM), root dry mass (RDM) and nodule dry mass (NDM), P accumulation in the shoot, and root mycorrhizal colonization (RMC). Efficiency and effectiveness were calculated to evaluate the plant response to double inoculation. The treatments showed a significant effect for all variables, except for mycorrhizal colonization, nodule number, and dry mass, with the nitrogen treatment having the highest growth values. Plants submitted to double inoculation showed a higher accumulation of dry matter, height and SD, reaching a 124% higher RDM regarding the absolute control, 90% more SDM, and 207% more NDM regarding the seedlings inoculated only with rhizobia. The positive effect of double inoculation occurred regardless of the strain used. The results indicate that the joint inoculation of NFB and AMF was beneficial for the species, promoting its growth.

Seed size and dormancy level were studied in 20 trees from two populations of Schizolobium parahybato evaluate how these characteristics occurbetween and within populations, and whether seed germination was affected by its morphometry. These two populations are located in the coastal (Paraty) or mountain (Miguel Pereira) regions in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The seed morphometrictraits (length, width, thickness and weight) were measured. Germination with or without seedcoatdormancy treatment (mechanical scarification) wasassessedbya randomized emergence test in nursey. All morphometric traits differed significantly among individuals and between populations. The trees from the mountain region showed a larger seed size and a lower dormancy level than that of trees from the coastal region. Seed size had no effect on seed germination or seedling development. Climate influence on the determination of germination behavior is discussed based on the results. Keywords: forest seed; population diversity; seed morphometrictraits; germination. RESUMOO tamanho da semente e seu grau de dormência foram estudados em 20 matrizes de duas populações de Schizolobium parahyba, visando avaliar como estas características se distribuem entre e dentro de populações e qual a influência da morfometria na capacidade de germinação da espécie. As populações são procedentes da região litorânea (Paraty) e montanhosa (Miguel Pereira) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. As características morfométricas (comprimento, largura, espessura e massa) foram medidas e a germinação com e sem tratamento de quebra de dormência (escarificação mecânica) foi avaliada em um teste de emergência com delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Todas as variáveis morfométricas diferiram significativamente entre indivíduos e entre populações. As matrizes da região montanhosa apresentaram maior tamanho da semente e um menor nível de dormência do que aquelas localizadas na região litorânea. O tamanho da semente não influenciou a germinação das sementes e o desenvolvimento das plântulas. A influência do clima na seleção do comportamento germinativo da espécie foi discutido com base nos resultados obtidos. Palavras-chave: semente florestal; diversidade populacional; morfometria da semente; germinação.

O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a resposta de mudas de Mimosa bimucronata (DC) O. Kuntze à inoculação com estirpes de rizóbio previamente selecionados, utilizar diferentes substratos em condições de viveiro. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas, testando-se três substratos (organomineral puro contendo barro, areia e esterco na proporção 1: 1: 1 v: v: v, organomineral misturado com 30% de palha e areia com vermiculita na proporção 1: 1 v: v) e quatro fontes de N (inoculação com as estirpes BR 3461 e BR 3470, tratamento controle com nitrogênio e controle sem adubação), totalizando 12 tratamentos. Foramavaliados altura e diâmetro do colo após 90 dias e massas da parte aérea, das raízes e dos nódulos secos após 120 dias em viveiro. Os substratos organominerais permitiram o melhor desenvolvimento das mudas. Entretanto,  somente o substrato organomineral com palha e a areia com vermiculita permitiram resposta da planta à inoculação com a estirpe BR 3470. O desempenho das mudas inoculadas não superou o das mudas adubadas com N. A dose de N aplicada estimulou a nodulação ao invés de inibi-la

The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of Melanoxylon brauna Schott. tree legume seeds to desiccation and storage. In the drying experiment, the Melanoxylon brauna seeds were submitted to two drying conditions: a forced air circulation chamber (40.18 °C ± 0.13 and 28.48% ± 3.95 RH) and a silica gel desiccator (27.19 °C ± 1.28 and 26.19% ± 0.94 RH) for different times (0, 12, 24, 36, 72, and 144 hours). A completely randomized design in a 2 (drying methods) × 5 (drying times) factorial scheme plus control and 4 replications of 25 seeds was used. The following variables were evaluated before and after drying: seed moisture content, percentage of germinated seeds, germination speed index, percentage of mortality, normal and abnormal seedlings. In the storage experiment the seeds were divided into two batches: pre-dried (at 5.0% humidity) and without drying (control at 8.9% humidity). The seeds were then stored in plastic bags in three environments: refrigerator at 5 °C, freezer at –20 °C and room temperature (29 °C). The seeds were removed every four months and submitted to the humidity and germination test for 24 months. Data from this storage experiment were analyzed considering a randomized block design in a 2 (drying levels: presence and absence) × 3 (storage environments: refrigerator, freezer or room temperature) factorial scheme + 2 controls (with and without drying at baseline) and 4 repetitions of 25 seeds. Drying reduced initial seed water content from 8.9% to 5.0%, without loss of viability. Drying in the chamber at 40 °C was faster and more efficient than in silica gel. The results enable classifying the seeds of this species as orthodox, i.e. tolerant to desiccation. The fridge and freezer were efficient for storing the Melanoxylon brauna seeds up to 24 months, independent of previous drying, while storing the seeds at room temperature with previous drying makes them last longer than without drying, as the seeds can last up to 16 months with drying, or 12 months without drying.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the vegetative propagation of Hymenaea courbaril (jatobá) and Apuleia leiocarpa (garapa) using the mini-cutting technique with the use of indolebutyric acid (IBA) growth regulator in different types of mini-cuttings. Two experiments were set up: the first involving the two species and three mini-cutting techniques (basal, intermediate and apical) in the presence and absence of IBA (4000 mg kg-1). In the second experiment, only the garapa species was evaluated by testing the same three mini-cutting techniques at four IBA concentrations: 0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg kg-1. The mini-cuttings were obtained from 6-month-old seedlings produced from seeds in a nursery. A randomized block design was used in a 3 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme (three mini-cutting techniques, two IBA concentration levels and three evaluation dates) in the first experiment, and a 3 x 4 x 3 factorial scheme (three mini-cutting techniques, four IBA concentrations and three evaluation dates) in the second experiment. At 90 days, jatobá had an average survival of 54%, with less than 5% of total rooting, without significant influence of the mini-cutting technique or IBA use. Garapa presented higher survival for the basal mini-cuttings in both experiments, which were the only ones that took root. IBA did not influence survival or rooting percentage of garapa mini-cuttings, but negatively influenced the root number, length and dry mass. We concluded that the basal mini-cutting is a viable technique for vegetative propagation of garapa, presenting 40% of rooting, but the propagation by mini-cutting for jatobá was not successful under the conditions of this study.