Germination of seeds of Bauhinia spp.

Abstract

This present research was carried out with objective of studying the influence of pregermitive treatments on the germination of seeds of Bauhinia variegata L. var. candida e variegata and Bauhinia forficata Link var. forficata. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments were: Bauhinia variegata - hot water soak at 97 ºC; hot water soak 70 ºC during 1 and 2 minutes sulphuric acid soak for 1, 2 and 3 minutes mechanical scarification and control (intact seeds); Bauhinia forficata - mechanical scarification; sulphuric acid soak for 5 and 10 minutes, storage intact seeds for six months, storage and sulphuric acid soak for 5 minutes and control (intact seeds). The mechanical scarification of Bauhinia forficata seed reduces seed coat dormancy, increases the germination of Bauhinia variegata var., candida and the germination speed of Bauhinia variegata var. variegata. sulphuric acid soak for one minute increase the germination speed of Bauhinia variegata var. variegata seed, and for 10 minutes, decrease the dormancy coatseed of Bauhinia forficata seeds. The storage and immersion of the Bauhinia forficata Link var. forficata seed in pure sulphuric acid increse the seeds germination. The treatment of Bauhinia variegata var. variegata in hot water soak at 97 ºC induces the seed deterioration.