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Effects of submergence in water on seed germination and vigor of the Copaifera lucens (Fabaceae) seedlings

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Abstract

We analyzed the tolerance of Copaifera lucens seeds to submersion in water to assess the use of this species for direct seeding in riparian forest restoration programs. Seeds were submerged in water for 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 days or not submerged (control = 0 days of submergence). For the control and at the end of each period of submersion, germination and seedling vigor tests were carried out. For germination tests, seeds were sown in plastic pots containing sand and kept in laboratory conditions. The percentage of seed germination, the germination rate and the average germination time were analyzed. For seedlings, total biomass, leaf area, leaf mass per area and leaf area ratio were analyzed. Submersion time drastically affected the dissolved oxygen content and seed germination. Between 4 and 8 days of submersion there was a decrease from 83.8% to 15.6% in the germination percentage. No seed germination occurred after 16 days of submersion. Although there was a significant decrease in the percentage of seed germination between 4 and 8 days of submersion, seedling vigor was not affected. Seeds of this species were partially tolerant to submersion in water, suggesting that C. lucens is a promising species for direct seeding in riparian forest restoration projects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, BR 415, km 16, Ilhéus, 45662-300, Bahia, Brazil

    Daniela Baldez Vidal & Eusinia Louzada Pereira Andrade

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, BR 415, km 16, Ilhéus, 45662-300, Bahia, Brazil

    Isis Leite Andrade & Marcelo Schramm Mielke

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  1. Daniela Baldez Vidal
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  2. Isis Leite Andrade
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  3. Eusinia Louzada Pereira Andrade
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  4. Marcelo Schramm Mielke
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Correspondence to Marcelo Schramm Mielke.

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Vidal, D.B., Andrade, I.L., Andrade, E.L.P. et al. Effects of submergence in water on seed germination and vigor of the Copaifera lucens (Fabaceae) seedlings. Journal of Forestry Research 25, 903–908 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-014-0537-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-014-0537-z

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