Effects of maturation and scarification on seed germination of Syagrus schizophylla (Mart.) glass. (Arecaceae)

Syagrus schizophylla (Mart.) Glass. belongs to the Arecaccae family. This palm is native of Brazil and presents great potential for use in gardens and cultivation in pot. Palms species, with relatively few exceptions, can only be propagated from seeds; even so, there are no reports in the literature about the germination of this palm seeds. The seed maturity is a factor that interferes in the success of the germination process. For some species, studies showed that palm seeds germinated better when the fruits were completely ripe (showing full color) and for other, when they were with green coloration. Several species of the Arecaccae family presents physical dormancy of seeds in varied degrees, demanding treatments for improve germination. The objective of this work was to study the effects of maturation and of the scarification on seed germination of S. schizophylla. The experimental design used was a factorial 3 x 2 (3 maturation stadiums: green, half-ripe - yellow and completely ripe - red; and mechanical scarification: with and without), entirely casualized, with four replications of 15 seeds per plot. The seeds (with 32,43% of humidity) were placed in plastic boxes with sand (60% of humidity, placing water according to weight in each three days), under controlled conditions of alternated temperature of 25-35 degrees C, photoperiod of 12 hours. The percentage of germination and the speed germination index (SGI) were evaluated until 79 days. It was observed that, so much for germination percentage as for SGI, there was not significant difference for the interaction among the two factors, maturation stadium and scarification, however, there were significant differences among the maturation stadiums and between seeds scarified or not. The seeds from green fruits presented lower germination percentage and slower germination when compared with seeds from yellow or red fruits; the seeds from yellow or red fruits didn't differ statistically to each other. To seeds scarificated, independently of the maturation stadium, presented germination percentage significantly larger and the germination was significantly faster when compared with the seeds without scarification.

Pollen viability in Syagrus romanzoffiana and S-coronata (Arecaceae)

Palms of the Syagrus genus have several natural hybrids in Brazil. They are widely cultivated around the world as ornamental palm. S. romanzoffiana is the parental of natural hybrids with other Syagrus species that are potentially useful as palm cultivated for heart of palm production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the pollen grains viability got from plants grown in the Experimental Nursery of the FCAVJ/UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. Pollen grains were sampled from inflorescence in three occasions: in the right day of anthesis, one day before and one day after anthesis. For each day, the inflorescence was subdivided in epical, medium and basal portions where pollen grains were collected. The results shown that: a) for S. coronata there was no statistical differences in pollen viability (pollen viability average = 92.89%); b) for S. romanzoffiana the average pollen viability was 87.27%, 87.47% e 86.85% before, during and after the anthesis, respectively. The basal portion pollen grains had lower viability (85.19% - p<0.01) than those from the medium (88.17%) and the apical (88.46%) portion of the inflorescence. These results shown that both species have no problems with pollen viability and can be used as parental of hybrids with other Syagrus species.

Effect of temperature on seed germination of queen palm Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) glassman (Arecaceae)

The Syagrus romanzoffiana is a specie of the Arecaccae family, native of Brazil, frequently used in landscape architecture. Its propagation is by seeds, however, there is little information in the literature about seed germination of this ornamental palm. The objective of this work was to study the effects of temperatures on seed germination of Syagrus romanzoffliana. The experimental design used was entirely randomized, with six temperatures (20 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C, constant and 20-30 degrees C and 25-35 degrees C alternated), photoperiod of 12 hours, and five replications of 20 seeds each. The seeds were placed in plastic boxes with sand, counting daily germination until 43(th) day. The percentage of seed germination (43(th) day) and the speed germination index (SGI) were evaluated. The conclusion was that there was no germination at a constant temperature of 20 degrees C and in the alternated temperature of 20-30 degrees C; the higher germination percentages were verified in the constant temperatures of 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C that didn't differ statistically from the temperature of 25-35 degrees C. The germination was faster at a constant temperature of 30 degrees C.

Pollen viability in Syagrus romanzoffiana and S. coronata (Arecaceae)

Palms of the Syagrus genus have several natural hybrids in Brazil. They are widely cultivated around the world as ornamental palm. S. romanzqffiana is the parental of natural hybrids with other Syagrus species that are potentially useful as palm cultivated for heart of palm production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the pollen grains viability got from plants grown in the Experimental Nursery of the FCAVJ/UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. Pollen grains were sampled from inflorescence in three occasions: in the right day of anthesis, one day before and one day after anthesis. For each day, the inflorescence was subdivided in apical, medium and basal portions where pollen grains were collected. The results shown that: a) for S. coronata there was no statistical differences in pollen viability (pollen viability average = 92.89%); b) for S. romanzoffiana the average pollen viability was 87.27%, 87.47% e 86.85% before, during and after the anthesis, respectively. The basal portion pollen grains had lower viability (85.19% - p<0.01) than those from the medium (88.17%) and the apical (88.46%) portion of the inflorescence. These results shown that both species have no problems with pollen viability and can be used as parental of hybrids with other Syagrus species.

Effect of different plot coverings on emergence and early development of seven palm species (arecaceae)

The Arecaceae family comprises plants with economical importance in many Brazilian regions, for agricultural exploration or for landscaping. In great portion, species of this family present low germination velocity and percentage. This work meant to evaluate the germination and early development of seven palm species (Archontophoenix alexandrae H. Wendl. et Drude, Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H.E. Moore, Latania commersonii Gmel., Livistona chinensis R. Br., Syagrus campos-portoana Bondar, Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Beccari, Syagrus picrophylla Barb. Rod.), submitted to three kinds of seed bed plot coverings. Three 10 x 2 m seedbeds were built and filled with a mixture of sand, soil and chicken manure (1:3:0.5 proportion), where two lines were sown with each specie. On top of each seedbed, plastic covering and fifty percent screen were set allowing one third of the seedbed to full sunlight exposure. Seedbeds were irrigated by dripping system. All species had the same germination rate, regardless of the covering, by the end of the experiment (146 days after sowing), eventhough, A. alexandrae under plastic covering conditions, L. commersonii at full sunlight exposure and Syagrus campos-portoana under fifty percent shade, had reached that percentage around 51 days after sowing. The remaining species reached the greatest germination percentage earlier with some of the coverings, rather than at full sunlight exposure. For the studied conditions, covering type had no effect in leaf length and width. For leaf number, there was interaction between species x covering type for Livistona chinensis and Copernicia prunifera.

Non-Specific Interaction between Ants (Hymenoptera; Formicidae) and Fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae) in an Area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

On the forest floor of a fragment of the Atlantic Forest which is considered to be in a stage of recuperation, located in southeastern Brazil, we recorded 54 species of ants interacting with the fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae). Myrmicinae was the subfamily which was the richest in species, followed by Ponerinae, Formicinae, Ecitoninae, Dolichoderinae, Pseudomyrmecinae and Cerapachyinae. The fruits of S. romanzoffiana can be classified according to whether or not they are preyed by the squirrel Sciurus ingrami, and the ant fauna that visits the fruits has an average similarity. Regarding diversity, the data suggest that there is no significant difference between ant assemblages at preyed and non-preyed-upon fruit falls. The results also indicate that there is no specific interaction between the ant fauna that visits the fruits of S. romanzoffiana, as it consists largely of species with omnivorous feeding habits.

Caracterização morfológica do diásporo e da plântula de Archontophoenix cunninghamii (Arecaceae)

The palm Archontophoenix cunninghamii H.Wendl. & Drude, even widely used in landscaping, has been poorly studied. In general, there are few articles on morphology of seeds and seedlings of Arecaceae species. With the aim of filling this gap, the objective of the present work describes the diaspore (seed with adhering endocarp) and the seedling morphology. A. cunninghamii seeds present rounded shape and a ruminated endosperm of hard consistency. The embryo is lateral, peripheral and relatively undifferentiated, approximately 4 mm long, conical, with one of the extremities convex, and in its inside there is a small protuberance while the other extremity is rounded and narrower. The seedling is adjacent ligulated and hypogeal, with the development starting from a mass of undifferentiated cells in the micropillar depression, the differentiation of shoot and root primordium, being the first enveloped by a sheath closed. The root system is fasciculate, with different adventitious roots and several lateral roots with few absorbent hairs. The stem comprises three sheaths surrounding the first young leaf, which are opened in succession, permitting the emergence of the primary bifid leaf, with typical parallel nerves.

Morphology and initial growth in the germination of dictyosperma album (bory) h. wendl. & drude ex scheffer (Arecaceae) seeds

Dictyosperma album, commonly known as Princess Palm, due to its graceful appearance and its ability to withstand strong hurricane force winds is largely used in landscaping areas. The aim of this work was to describe the diaspores (seeds with the stuck endocarp) morphology and the stages of the D. album germination process. Therefore we concluded that the species germination is of the tubular remote type and begins with the opening of a circular operculum in the fruit endocarp, through which emerges a bulbous and hollow structure, named cotyledonal petiole or embryophore. With the embryo growth, the endosperm is being gradually consumed. The embryo grows approximately up to 10 cm, when the dilation begins in its extremity. Starting from this extensive area, it begins the growth of the primary root and the opening of a longitudinal rift, through which emerges the aerial part that is composed by two sheaths that cover the first juvenile leaf. In this phase, the emergence of secondary roots is observed. The first leaves are simple and lance-shaped.

Temperature and scarification on seeds germination of copernicia prunifera (Mill) H.E. Moore (Arecaceae)

Copernicia prunifera, known as carnauba, is native to Brazil and presents great potential to be used in gardens and cultivation in pot. Palms species, with relatively few exceptions, can only be propagated by seeds; even so, there are no reports in the literature about the germination of this palm seeds. Several species of the Arecaceae family present seed physical dormancy in varying degrees, demanding treatments to improve germination. The objective of this work was to study the effects of temperature and mechanical scarification on seed germination of C. prunifera. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial arrangement 6 x 2 (six conditions of temperature with or without mechanical scarification) with 4 replications and 25 seeds each. In accordance with the treatment, lateral scarifications were made on the seeds until appearance of the endosperm. Seeds were sown in moist fine vermiculite. Germination (%) and germination rate (GR) were evaluated. Germination data were arcsine (x/100)1/2 transformed before analysis of variance and germination rate data were not transformed. The means of the resulting values were then compared by the Scott-Knott test at 1% confidence level. It was concluded that the biggest germination percentage were obtained at alternated temperature of 25-35°C (92%) and at constant temperature of 25°C (87%). Seeds germinated faster at alternated temperature of 25- 35°C. Germination percentage was similar for the scarified and non-scarified seeds; however, scarified seeds germinated faster.

Variação espaço-temporal na fenologia e frugivoria do palmito juçara Euterpe edulis Martius (Arecaceae) em três tipos de floresta atlântica

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fenologia e sucesso reprodutivo de Attalea geraensis e Syagrus petraea (Arecaceae) na borda e interior de um fragmento de cerrado

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Caracteres quantitativos de interesse para a determinação da variação genética em populações de Oenocarpus bacaba Mart., (Arecaceae) no Amapá

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morfologia e germinação de sementes de Caryota urens (Lam.) Mart. (Arecaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morfo-anatomia e envelhecimento acelerado em diásporos de oenocarpus bacaba Mart. - Arecaceae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)