Estresse hídrico e massa de sementes na germinação e crescimento de plântulas de Amburana cearensis (Allemão) A.C. Smith

Amburana cearensis, known locally as Cumaru, is a species found throughout the caatinga biome, being recommended in the reclamation of degraded areas and for use in phytotherapy. The aim of the present work was to determine the levels of tolerance to water stress at germination and on seedling growth in seedlings of the cumaru, as a function of seed weight. The seeds were initially weighed and separated into three classes (light, medium and heavy), then subjected to water stress using solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000 at different potentials (0.0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8 and -1.0 MPa) and left to germinate at 30 °C in germination chambers. The experimental design was a completely randomised 3 x 6 factorial scheme (weight class x water potential). To evaluate germination, first count, final percentage and rate of germination index were determined, while to evaluate seedling growth, the length and dry weight of the epicotyl and of the root axis plus hypocotyl, and the shoot to root ratio were all determined. Data were tested for normality, and if normal, variance analysis, means comparison and regression were carried out. A decrease in water potential impairs the germination and growth of seedlings derived from medium and heavy seeds in relation to light seeds, with potentials of -0.6 MPa or more strictly limiting the formation of normal seedlings of A. cearensis.