Sensitivity of seed to desiccation in cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K. Schum. - sterculiaceae

Abstract

The response of seeds to reduction in moisture content will determine whether they can be stored by conventional methods. The objective of this study was to verify the effect of desiccation on the germination and vigor of cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K. Schum.) seeds, a tropical fruit species. The following seed moisture contents (SMC) were tested: 57.1%, 53. 7%, 49.8%, 46.5%, 41.4%, 35.4%, 28.3%, 23.2%, 17.4%, 15.5% and 14.6%. Desiccation of seeds to as low as 41.4% (SMC) did not affect emergence, germination or vigor. However, reductions in speed of emergence were observed below 41.4%. When SMC was equal or lower than 35.4% a reduction in seed quality was observed. Loss of seed quality was increased when moisture content was equal or lower than 28.3%, and at 14.5% SMC all cupuassu seeds were dead. The observed sensitivity of cupuassu seeds to reductions in moisture content suggests that storage conditions maintaining SMC higher than 41% are necessary for good seed vigor of this species.

Ecofisiologia da germinação dos genótipos de Theobroma cacao L.

“…Segundo Fajardo et al (2011), estudando a sensibilidade a secagem nos genótipos UF667 e UF668 (Trinitario), Pound e EET 48 (Forasteros) e Carmelo (Criollo), concluíram que a sensibilidade a dessecação varia entre os genótipos das três origens genéticas a 30%, contudo não toleram a secagem a 20%. Com espécies do gênero Theobroma este comportamento também é similar, ficando os teores críticos entre 30% e o letal cerca de 15% (Cruz & Cicero 2008, Nascimento & Carvalho 2012. Fig.…”

Drying and physiological quality of palheteira seeds (Clitoria fairchildiana R.A. Howard)

“…K. Schum. (Cruz & Cicero, 2008) to classified seeds according to tolerance, to desiccation and storage behavior.…”