Métodos para superação da dormência tegumentar em sementes de Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. ex Tul.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of methods for overcoming dormancy in Caesalpinia ferrea seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized, with twelve treatments and four replicates of 25 seeds per experimental unit. The pre germinative treatments used were: control (T1); immersion in water at 100, 80 and 65 °C for 5 minutes (T2, T3 and T4, respectively); immersion in sulfuric acid (98%) for 5 and 10 minutes (T5 and T6, respectively); scarification on sandpaper n° 120 (T7); in the region opposite the thread and at the end of the insertion point of the pod (T8 and T9, respectively); immersion in alcohol, red wine and white wine vinegar for 15 minutes (T10, T11 and T12, respectively). The evaluated characteristics were: emergence percentage, emergence speed index, percentage of hard and dead seeds, root length, seedling height and number of leaves. The treatments with immersion in sulfuric acid for 5 or 10 minutes, scarification with sandpaper nº 120 and the tegument sprouting, both in the region opposite the thread and at the end of the insertion point of the pod, are the most suitable for overcoming of coats dormancy in Caesalpinia ferrea seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]