Testes de quebra de dormência em sementes de Pseudobombax Simplicifolium, espécie com potencial para restauração ecológica da Caatinga

Abstract

The Caatinga is the main biome of the Northeast region, represented by a dry forest and characterized by a semi-arid climate, marked by a rainfall seasonality represented by long periods of drought and high temperatures. The excessive and unsustainable use of this biome, combined with human actions and the extremely hot climate, makes it increasingly susceptible to the desertification process, making ecological restoration measures urgent. Understanding the physiological processes such as the breaking of dormancy of the seeds of the species studied is crucial for the efficiency and success of measures focused on ecological restoration, since the germination of the seeds needs to occur during the period when there is greater availability of resources. This study aims to analyze the presence of dormancy in a species with high potential for restoration of Caatinga, Pseudobombax simplicifolium (Malvaceae), through five methods for breaking dormancy, which are: mechanical scarification, chemical scarification, thermal scarification and soaking in gibberellic acid. P. simplicifolium did not show dormancy strategy, since the speed in the germination percentage did not differ when compared to the other treatments. The most effective treatments for breaking dormancy were chemical scarification and soaking in gibberellic acid, since they showed a higher percentage of germinated seeds and speed of germination. Because it does not have dormancy, Pseudobombax simplicifolium germinates more easily and quickly, even when the best conditions for its survival are not present. Understanding this germination pattern can help us with strategies and management of seeds that will be used in restoration programs.