Factors that affect the germination and development of Tabebuia heptaphylla (Vell.) Toledo: from collect of seeds to seedlings

Abstract

Information about of Tabebuia heptaphylla can be important for seed collection and seedling production. The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the factors height of harvesting on the tree, weight of seed and the position of seed germination of Tabebuia heptaphylla in the substrate, kind of substrate and the variables seed germination and seedling fresh weight. The entirely randomized experimental design in the factorial scheme, with 4 replicates each with 20 seeds per replicate, was used on 2 experiments. The experimental factors were constituted by 2 height of harvesting (experiment 1) and 2 positions of the seed on the substrate (experiment 1 and 2), 2 categories of weight of seed and 4 kinds of substrates (experiment 2). A statistical test allowed to conclude that the height of seed harvesting, the position of seeds on the substrate, the weight of seeds, the kind of substrate are significant factors. The harvesting of seeds of Tabebuia heptaphylla should be performed in the upper third of the plant and performing sowing of heavier seeds.