Desiccation of Pachira aquatica Aubl. Seeds

The conservation of seed quality during storage is important to perform the maintenance and conservation of germplasm banks. Several native species of Brazil are intolerant to desiccation to desirable levels for conservation during storage is necessary to develop specific technologies for their conservation. The objective of this research was to evaluate the physiological quality of Paquira aquatica seeds submitted to drying periods. The study was carried out using seeds of P. aquatica dried at a temperature of 35 oC, the following exposure times: 0 (no drying), 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Before and after each period of drying samples for the evaluations, the data were submitted to analysis of variance and regressionat level of 5%. The seeds of P. aquatica were dispersed with very high water content and a small reduction in its physiological value agrees quality, allowing the seeds to characterize this as a recalcitrant species. The drying temperature is 35 oC until the viable 24 hours after this period the water content of seed reduced from 55% to 43%, which was considered the critical level for desiccation of seeds of P. aquatica. Because it reduces the values of first count, germination, rate of germination and growth of seedlings.The drying temperature the 35 oC until the viable 24 hours, whit small reduction in its physiological quality seed P. aquatica.