Physiological maturity of ingazeiro Inga striata Benth. Seeds

Abstract

Inga striata Benth., Popularly known as ingazeiro, is a native fruit of tropical forests and riparian forests of the Amazon, Northeast and Minas Gerais. It is used in the reclamation of degraded areas and in rural and urban forestry. The objective of this study was to determine the most appropriate indices for assessing the maturity and ideal harvest seeds I. striata Benth. Trees I. striata were in swamp forest of altitude on Campus II of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Areia-PB. Assessments of seed maturation were performed in six seasons fruit harvests after anthesis (95, 110, 125, 140, 155 and 170 DAA) and two consecutive years of observations (two seasons). The experimental design was completely randomized following a factorial 2 x 6 (two periods of observation and six seasons crop of fruit). At each harvest were evaluated dimensions of fruits and seeds, water content and dry weight of seeds and their germination and vigor (first germination, speed of germination, length and mass of the primary root and shoot). The seed physiological maturity was reached at 146 to 166 days after flowering in the first year and 155 days in the second year, in which periods had the lowest water content, maximum dry matter accumulation and germination; The size, content water, dry mass of seed germination and the dry weight of the aerial part of the seedling, were the best parameters that determined the physiological maturity of seeds of I. striata.