Germinación de semillas silvestres de Apeiba glabra Aubl. (Malvaceae) y crecimiento inicial de plantas

The aim of this study was to evaluate the germination of wild seeds of Apeiba glabra Aubl., as well as plant growth (in height and diameter) and survival. The experimental design used was completely randomized with a factorial arrangement and 16 factors, resulting from combinations of substrates and pregerminative treatments. The experiment was developed in two germination beds previously built under shade and solar exposure conditions. Sowing was comprised of 1,920 seeds and the evaluation process was carried out during 75 days. Seed scarification with sandpaper and immersion in water for 48 hours increased germination by 33% and 34 %; moreover, these values increased to more than 50% by evaluating the interaction with a substrate composed of sifted soil and sifted soil + sand in a 2:1 ratio. Growth results in diameter and height showed significant differences among factors and light conditions, both in diameter and height (p<0.05). Seedling growth and survival were higher with the factors comprised of sifted soil (with and without pregerminative treatment). Furthermore, for propagation purposes and under our study conditions, Apeiba glabra responds well when using sifted soil and scarification with sandpaper.