Selection of Superior Senna macranthera Seeds, Carbon Stock, and Seedling Survival, and Costs for Habitat Restoration

Abstract

Conservation and recovery of degraded areas generate great demand for seeds of native tree species. The development and/or improvement of efficient techniques for the evaluation of forest-seed quality is important for the production and establishment of high-quality seedlings for restoration. In this study, the tissue density of radiographic images of Senna macranthera seeds was related to their physiological quality. Moreover, biomass, carbon stock, seedling survival, and X-ray technique costs were estimated for S. macranthera. Collected seeds were analyzed using digital radiography to measure relative and integrated density. The physical integrity of seed tissues was visually evaluated. Seeds were then germination tested to assess seedling development-related traits. Semiautomated radiography allowed for visualizing internal seed structures and observing their density and physical-integrity differences as well as physiological quality. Moreover, seed lots with lower relative and integrated densities had more physical damage and/or malformation, thus producing less vigorous seedlings. The average carbon stock was 21.42 kg per tree. The seed selection cost was USD 0.0132/seed at an 81% germination rate. The annual cost of planting S. macranthera seedlings was USD 7500 per hectare during the establishment year and averaged USD 1562 per year for replanting lost transplants over the eight years after initial planting. Applying these techniques may enhance the seedling production of this species, contributing to reforestation programs in Brazil.