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.

Substrate and Temperature Effects on the Germination of Dypsis leptocheilos (Hodel) Beentje & J. Dransf. (Arecaceae) Seeds

Dypsis leptocheilos is highly valued as an ornamental palm. Its propagation is done by seeds; however, there is little information about this process. The objective of this work was to study the substrate and temperature effects on the germination of D. leptocheilos seeds. The experiments were carried out at FCAV/UNESP, Campus of Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. In order to study the substrate effects, four treatments were arranged (coconut fiber, sand, vermiculite and Plantmax (R)) at 30 degrees C. For the temperature effects, six treatments were performed (temperature at laboratory conditions (21.5 degrees C and 72% RU), 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 35 degrees C, 20-30 degrees C and 25-35 degrees C), having the coconut fiber as the substrate. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates of 25 disseminules per plot (seeds with attached endocarp). Water replacement was managed to maintain 100% of the retention capacity of the substrates. The germination tests were observed every two days, and conducted over 148 days for the substrate effects, and over 152 days for the temperature effects, when no more seed germination was noted. In order to determine the germination percentage (% G) and the Germination Speed Index (GSI), the seed was considered germinated when the germinative button appeared. At the end of the experiments, leaf area (cm(2)), root and shoot length (cm), root and shoot dry mass (g) were also obtained. Statistical analysis was performed and means were compared by the Tukey test. Germination rate and speed in coconut fiber was higher at 25 and 30 degrees C. However, when other substrates were tested at 30 degrees C, the highest germination percentage was observed in vermiculite, which also sustained better results for the seed germination and for the characteristics related to shoots and roots.

Desenvolvimento de Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry Ex. Rehder (Palmeira-Ráfia): Influência da altura do recipiente na formação de mudas

Rhapis excelsa, originária do sul da China, é uma das palmeiras ornamentais mais cultivadas no mundo, principalmente em vaso. Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa investigar a influência da altura do vaso no desenvolvimento da espécie. Para tanto, mudas de dois anos de idade, apresentando 10 cm de altura e sistema radicular com 10 cm de comprimento, foram transplantadas para recipientes de PVC com 10 cm de diâmetro e 20, 25, 30, 35 e 40 cm de altura, que se constituíram em tratamentos. O substrato utilizado foi uma mistura de casca de pinho, vermiculita e solo argiloso (2:1:1), adubado com 45 g de Osmocote (15:10:10). Os parâmetros avaliados foram: altura da planta, diâmetro do colo, número de folhas, número de perfilhos emitidos, avaliados aos 6, 12 e 18 meses após a instalação do experimento. Aos 18 meses foram tomados também o peso da matéria seca da parte aérea e o peso da matéria seca das raízes. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições com duas plantas. Houve diferença significativa para a variável altura de plantas, aos 6 meses, sendo que o recipiente de 40 cm de altura apresentou o pior resultado. Não houve diferença significativa entre as variáveis analisadas aos 12 meses de investigação. Já aos 18 meses, houve diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos para as variáveis altura da planta e diâmetro do colo, sendo o recipiente de 40 cm inferior aos demais em relação à altura da planta e o de 25 cm superior quanto ao diâmetro do colo. A utilização do recipiente com 25 cm de altura revelou-se interessante pela qualidade das plantas formadas e em relação a aspectos econômicos da produção.

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.

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.

Seed germination of two Syagrus species native to Brazil

Palm species native to Brazil such as Syagrus picrophylla and S. schizophylla have great ornamental value and for this reason are much demanded for use in landscape. Its propagation is by seeds and often presents considerable problems to nursery managers because their seed has a hard and impermeable shell. Temperature is one of the factors that influence the seed germination process; however, the information for these species is scarce. Thus, this work aimed to study the effects of temperature regimes on the germination of S. picrophylla and S. schizophylla seeds and develop some recommendations in which temperature will obtain high rates of seed germination. The experimental design was entirely randomized with six temperatures and four replications of 25 seeds for each species. Germination and germination rate were evaluated. Higher and faster germination of S. picrophylla and S. schizophylla seeds were verified at constant temperature of 30°C and 35°C; and alternated temperature at 25-35°C.

Maturity, Pulp Removal and Storage Effects on the Germination of Livistona rotundifolia Seeds

The Livistona rotundifolia species is native to Oceania, and has a high potential for landscaping use and as a pot plant. This work aimed to study the effects of the maturation stage, pulp removal and storage on the germination of L. rotundifolia seeds. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial arrangement 5x2x2 (five storage periods: 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days; two maturation stages: green and ripe; and the presence or absence of the pulp - exocarp and mesocarp) with four replications of 25 seeds each. After sorting out the fruits by the maturity stage and removing the pulp out of half of the fruits from each plot, the seeds were placed in closed bottles, which were sealed and stored in a cold chamber at 10 degrees C. The seeds were removed from the cold chamber and left to germinate in plastic boxes (gerbox type) with sphagnum. The boxes were kept at 25-35 degrees C and photoperiod of 12 hours. The germination rate was determined when seed germination was steady. The highest germination rate was found when green fruits had their pulp removed. The germination rate gradually decreased with the increase of the storage period regardless the maturation stage and the presence or absence of the pulp.

Germination of Phoenix roebelenii Seeds

The Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien is one of the most used plants in the Brazilian landscape. The work aimed to study the effect of different fruit harvesting locations, associated with seven temperature conditions, on the germination of P. roebelenii seeds. The fruits were collected from two different locations: Ilha Solteira, western Sao Paulo State and Jaboticabal in the middle East of the same State. The disseminules (seeds with stucked endocarp) were placed in plastic boxes (gerbox), and the experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial scheme of 7x2 (seven temperatures conditions: room temperature, constant at 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C and alternated at 20-30 and 25-35 degrees C; and two fruit harvesting locations: Ilha Solteira and Jaboticabal, with four replications with 25 seeds each. The disseminules that emitted the germinative intumescence were daily noted until the germinative process got steady, in about 90 days. The germination rate (G%), the germination speed index (GSI), and the means were extracted and compared by the Tukey test. The highest values of germination rate were obtained at 30, 25-35 degrees C and room temperatures. The seeds showed a higher GSI at room temperature. The fruit harvesting locations influenced the germination.

Effect of foliar and substrate fertilization on lady palm seedling growth and development

Lady palm, [Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder] is one of the most cultivated ornamental palms in the world, for use as a vase plant or in shaded landscapes. Because limited information exists on lady palm response to fertilizers, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different types of fertilization and substrates on lady palm seedling growth and development. Three year old lady palms were planted in 8-L pots, filled with a mix of soil, manure, and sand 1:1:1 (v:v:v), placed under a 50% shade, and irrigated with microspray. Treatments were substrate fertilization with 500 g P(2)O(5) and 100 g K(2)O per m(3); fertilization with 1.8 kg of P(2)O(5) (simple superphosphate) per m3; 50 g of nitrogen (N), P(2)O(5), and K(2)O of a granulated fertilizer (10:10:10) per m(3), control (without fertilization), and a foliar fertilization in addition to these treatments using the commercial product Biofert (8:9:9). Treatments were replicated four times in a randomized block design. Each treatment plot consisted of four plants. Data were collected at 140, 170, 200, 230, 260, and 290 days after transplanting (DAT) for plant heights, stem diameter at substrate level, number of leaves, shoots, and canopy, roots fresh and dry matter samples were harvest at 290 days. Foliar fertilization resulted in significantly greater plant height in a 140, 120, 200, and 230 DAT and plant diameter on the 140, 260, and 290 DAT. There was interaction among factors for number of leaves with fertilization based on P(2)O(5) and K(2)O when leaf fertilizer was added that resulted in a greater number of leaves.

Information on Brazilian palms for ornamental use

Fully developed specimens of Brazilian species belonging to the palm collection of the FCAV-UNESP, Jaboticabal, state of São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated with view to their use in landscape projects. Data of interest were taken: maximum plant height, canopy diameter, leaf length, leaf type, trunk height and diameter, trunk type, time of flowering and fruiting, local adaptation, main ornamental values, and limitations to use. The evaluation lead to recommendations for the use of these species for specific situations in landscape planting.

The Palm Collection of UNESP/FCAV - Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

The palm collection of UNESP/FCAV, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, was created in 1966 with the aim to keep different palm species for research purposes and conservation of native species, especially those threatened. Native and exotic species comprise the collection, which is held at the institution, where several studies with different species and in different areas are undertaken. Nevertheless, palm seeds and seedlings are also distributed to other research centers. The botanical review of the collection began in 2003 and there are, currently, 143 species or hybrids, in a total of 331 specimens. Considering the most ancient species, the immediate identification of many of them was possible; however, for others, such as the Attalea, Orbignya, Syagrus and Scheelea genera, future morphological studies is required, like the karyotype one or using molecular markers. Many species have been introduced and many seeds have been currently investigated regarding their germination process for future inclusion in the collection. Some of the palms do not bloom; others, however, bloom, but do not bear fruits; and others bear fruits, but their seeds do not germinate. They are either young plants, fruits which are constantly attacked by insects, like the Syagrus species and hybrids, or dioecious plants.

Life cycle of Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) on ornamental plants, mostly Arecaceae

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, has been primarily found associated with coconut and musaceous plants in the New World. However, it has also been recorded on several other palms, heliconiaceous and zingiberaceous species. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of different botanical families on which R. indica has been collected in the field and of arecaceous plants of the natural vegetation of the neotropics. In total, ten species of Arecaceae as well as Heliconia psittacorum [Heliconiaceae] and Alpinia purpurata [Zingiberacae] were evaluated, using coconut as a control. The study was carried out under controlled conditions (29 +/- A 0.5 A degrees C, 60 +/- A 10 % RH and photoperiod 12 h of light). Raoiella indica was able to complete immature development only on coconut, Adonidia merrillii, Ptychosperma macarthurii, H. psittacorum and A. purpurata. Duration of the immature phase (egg-adult) ranged between 21.5 days on coconut to 34.1 days on A. purpurata. Longevity was at least 50 % greater and oviposition at least 38 % higher on coconut than on other plants. Intrinsic rate of increase (r(m)) was higher on coconut (0.166) and A. merrillii (0.042), but negative on the other two plant species. Raoiella indica could not reach adulthood on any of the other ten arecaceous species considered in the study. The results suggested R. indica to be a threat to A. merrillii in addition to coconut, but not to other evaluated plants. However, complementary studies should be conducted to investigate whether the experimental procedures adopted in this study could not have prevented the mite from a better performance than it could have been under field conditions, especially in relation to Mauritia flexuosa, one of the dominant arecaceous plants in South America.