The INFLUENCE OF SEED STORAGE CONDITIONS ON QUALITY OF Torresea acreana SEEDLINGS

Abstract

The plant vigor defined in the laboratory may not indicate the final quality of seedlings produced under nursery conditions, or even their survival in plantations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the storage conditions of Torresea acreana seeds on seedling emergence and on the morphological quality of seedlings. Seeds were collected in October/2011, packed, and transported to the laboratory where they were conditioned in closed glasses and stored in three environments for a period of 462 days. The treatments consisted of: I - seedlings produced from seeds without storage (control), II - seedlings produced from seeds stored in a dry chamber, III - seedlings produced from seeds stored in a humid chamber, and IV - Seedlings produced from seeds stored in an uncontrolled environment (laboratory). Sowing was performed in 50 cm³ tubes filled with decomposed pine bark and coconut fiber (50/50 v/v) which were packed in a glasshouse. The study analyzed the percentage of emergence, mean seedling emergence time, stem diameter, total height, ratio between total height and stem diameter, shoot length, mean root length, total dry biomass, root dry biomass, shoot dry biomass, and Dickson quality index. Seed storage proved to be a negative factor for the emergence and vigor of T. acreana seedlings with a significant decrease in storage conditions. The vigor of the seeds is a preponderant factor to increase the morphological quality of the seedlings.