Emergence and vigor of Euterpe edulis seedlings under shading levels and the presence and absence of the pericarp.
Euterpe edulis Mart., known as palm juçara, is a palm tree with high economic and ecologic value, but since it is threatened with extinction, the best propagation methods for the species must be researched. This study evaluated the effects of shading levels (0, 16, 54, 72 and 92%) and of the presence and absence of the pericarp on the emergence and vigor of E. edulis seedlings. Ninety-nine days after sowing, the total number of emerged seedlings was counted to represent the emergence percentage (%), root length (RL) and stem length (SL) were measured and the total dry matter mass of the seedlings (DM) was determined. The emergence velocity index (EVI) was also calculated. The increase in shading levels resulted in linear increments of the variables related to germination and to vigor. Seedlings originated from seeds with pericarp displayed higher vigor only at 54% shading compared to seedlings from seeds without pericarp. The EVI was higher with pericarp removal. We conclude that the germination and establishment of E. edulis seedlings are favored by elevated shading levels, independent of the presence or absence of the pericarp. Pericarp removal can accelerate and increase the germination percentage, but sowing whole fruits might select the most vigorous individuals for cultivation.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | -- biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IDESIA, Chile, v. 36, n.1, p.49-56, enero, 2018.
2018
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| Subjects: | Juçara palm, Native flora, Seeds, Species at risk of extinction, |
| Online Access: | http://biblioteca.incaper.es.gov.br/digital/handle/123456789/3590 |
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| Summary: | Euterpe edulis Mart., known as palm juçara, is a palm tree with high economic and ecologic value, but since it is threatened with extinction, the best propagation methods for the species must be researched. This study evaluated the effects of shading levels (0, 16, 54, 72 and 92%) and of the presence and absence of the pericarp on the emergence and vigor of E. edulis seedlings. Ninety-nine days after sowing, the total number of emerged seedlings was counted to represent the emergence percentage (%), root length (RL) and stem length (SL) were measured and the total dry matter mass of the seedlings (DM) was determined. The emergence velocity index (EVI) was also calculated. The increase in shading levels resulted in linear increments of the variables related to germination and to vigor. Seedlings originated from seeds with pericarp displayed higher vigor only at 54% shading compared to seedlings from seeds without pericarp. The EVI was higher with pericarp removal. We conclude that the germination and establishment of E. edulis seedlings are favored by elevated shading levels, independent of the presence or absence of the pericarp. Pericarp removal can accelerate and increase the germination percentage, but sowing whole fruits might select the most vigorous individuals for cultivation. |
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