African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6918

Full Length Research Paper

Temperature and substrate effects on the germination of Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex Tul.

Luan Danilo Ferreira de Andrade Melo
  • Luan Danilo Ferreira de Andrade Melo
  • Department of Propagation of Plants, Federal University of Alagoas, BR 104/Norte - Km 85, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
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Joao Luciano de Andrade Melo Junior
  • Joao Luciano de Andrade Melo Junior
  • Department of Propagation of Plants, Federal University of Alagoas, BR 104/Norte - Km 85, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
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Ivomberg Dourado Magalhaes
  • Ivomberg Dourado Magalhaes
  • Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Alagoas, Av. Lourival Melo Mota, Brazil.
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Aldair de Souza Medeiros
  • Aldair de Souza Medeiros
  • Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Alagoas, Av. Lourival Melo Mota, Brazil.
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Sebastiao de Oliveira Maia Júnior
  • Sebastiao de Oliveira Maia Júnior
  • Department of Propagation of Plants, Federal University of Alagoas, BR 104/Norte - Km 85, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
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Jose Jairo Florentino Cordeiro Junior
  • Jose Jairo Florentino Cordeiro Junior
  • Department of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171- 900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Abraao Cícero da Silva
  • Abraao Cícero da Silva
  • Department of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171- 900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 23 September 2017
  •  Accepted: 20 October 2017
  •  Published: 23 November 2017

Abstract

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex Tul. is a tropical arboreal species used in naval and civil construction, and in the recovery of degraded areas. The substrate used and temperature can interfere directly in the germination of this species. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of different substrates and temperature regimes on the seed germination potential and initial growth of C. ferrea seedlings. The experiment was conducted at the Plant Propagation Laboratory of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil. A completely randomized design was used in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme with five substrates (paper roll, paper, sand, and vermiculite) and four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C). The evaluated characteristics were first count of germination, germination, germination speed index, dry mass, and seedling length. Results showed that C. ferrea seeds could germinate under different temperatures and substrate conditions. The sand substrate and the temperature of 30°C are excellent for evaluating the physiological quality of the seeds.

 

Key words: Physiological potential, substrate, temperature.