Seed germination in natural populations of Hancornia speciosa

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to assay the germination behavior of seeds from fruits collected from three natural populations of H. speciosa, located in remnant areas of Cerrado in the municipality of Porto Nacional, Tocantins state, Brazil. The studied populations were: Canaã, São Judas Tadeu and Providência. Seven genotypes were selected from each population and twenty fruits of each genotype were collected. After ripening, the fruits were manually pulped and seeds of the same genotype pooled. After cleaning, removing adhered pulp and exterior sterilization, seeds were sown in a nursery. The experimental used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Four seeds of each genotype were sown per polyethylene bag and the germination monitored until the 45th day after sowing. Variables used to assay germination behavior were: Germination (G,%); Mean Time of Germination (MTG, days); Average Speed ​​of Germination (ASG, d-1), Germination Time Variation Coefficient (VCt) and Germination Synchrony Index (Z). For germination data, nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was performed, followed by Dunn's test at 5% probability. There was a difference between populations for all germination variables, with the Providência population performing the best. The variables MTG, ASG and Z were significantly higher for the Providencia population. In absolute terms, ​​the Providencia population had the highest percentage of germination (G), but did not differ significantly from the São Judas Tadeu population. The results generated are important for understanding the germination of seeds of different populations of H. speciosa. This information is relevant for the ex situ spread of the species.
 KEYWORDS: Cerrado, mangabeira, conservation.