Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Soares, Vanessa [1], Daibes, L. Felipe [2], Damasceno-Junior, Geraldo A. [3], De Lima, Liana B. [3].

Substrate moisture level affects seed vigor of Tabebuia roseo-alba (Bignoniaceae), a tropical tree species.

Water availability is fundamental to control seed germination and seedling emergence. The amount of water (moisture level) applied in germination/emergence trials for seed testing has been the focus of some studies with tropical native species. Seedling vigor can also be assessed employing seedling growth parameters, such as the length of root and shoot parts. However, currently, there remains a knowledge gap on standardization methods concerning seed testing for commercial purposes and seedling production. Here we aimed to investigate how substrate moisture level on rolled filter paper substrate affects seedling emergence and vigor of a tropical tree species, using seeds of Tabebuia roseo-alba as a study model. The study species is a tropical Bignoniaceae tree from Brazilian savannas-woodlands, occurring in the Cerrado and Pantanal wetland. Emergence trials were conducted under different moisture levels, of 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 2.8, and 3.0 times the dry weight of the filter paper, at the temperatures of 30 and 35°C. A separate experiment was performed under dark conditions to evaluate seedling vigor (root and shoot length). In addition, emergence capacity (E%) was recorded under greenhouse conditions. T. roseo-alba shows nondormant and fast-germinating seeds, with a successful production of normal seedlings (E% ≥95%) under most moisture levels and temperature combinations. E% only decreased to ~80% under the moisture levels of 2.8 and 3.0x at 35°C and greenhouse conditions. Emergence time ranged from four to five days in the laboratory treatments, with a delay (10 days) in the greenhouse. Root and shoot parts tended to show larger length values in the moisture level of 2.5x. In conclusion, even though seedling emergence were great (above 90%) between substrate moisture level of 2.0 - 2.5x for both temperatures, seedling vigor can be optimized for other parameters conducting emergence tests under 30°C and moisture level of 2.5x.   

1 - University of Florida, P.O. Box 117001, Gainsville, Florida, 32611, United States
2 - Sao Paulo State University, Av. 24-A 1515, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
3 - Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária s/n, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil

Keywords:
Seed Vigor
Seed Germination
Ipê-branco
Pantanal
Savannas
Seed Testing.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P1, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P1RT018
Abstract ID:1408
Candidate for Awards:None