Produção de sementes de Senegalia bahiensis (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger em resposta a diferentes ambientes de coleta

Abstract

The seeds are the mainly responsible for the maintenance and perpetuation of forest species in nature. Thus, knowing the germination process, genetic viability and the production of native species seeds are extremely important to dominate the silviculture of these species. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the position in the field of trees from the species Senegalia bahiensis (Benth.) Seigler & EBINGER (Fabaceae) on production and the germination potential of seeds. The fruits to extract the seeds came from 20 matrices of two distinct environments: pasture and edge. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two treatments and three repetitions, with 25 seeds per repetition in six seed lots. It were evaluated: germination speed index (IVG); germination percentage (% G); total mass of fresh fruit; mass of 100 fruits; mass of 100 viable seeds in 100 fruits; weight of 1000 seeds, and the biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds: length (cm), thickness (mm), number of fruits per amount of septums, color, and intensity of infestation by pathogens and insects. To calculate the %G it was used the analysis of variance (ANOVA). To compare fruit production variables and seeds it was used the Student's t distribution (α = 0.05) and confidence interval. Moreover, Chi-square was used to evaluate the effect of the environment on the biometric characteristics of the fruits and seeds. It was found that individuals of Senegalia bahiensis located in the Caatinga remaining and those present in the pastures of its surroundings have similar potential to produce fruits and seeds, although the seeds from the pasture have better quality, since the seeds in this environment apparently tend to be healthier and provide better germination percentage.