Germination and soil seed bank traits of Podocarpus angustifolius (Podocarpaceae): an endemic tree species from Cuban rain forests

Podocarpus angustifolius is an endangered recalcitrant-seeded small tree, endemic to mountain rain forests in the central and Pinar del Río regions in Cuba. In this study, the germination patterns of P. angustifolius seeds were evaluated and the nature of the soil seed bank was determined. Using a weighted two-factor design, we analyzed the combined germination response to seed source (i.e. freshly matured seeds directly collected from trees versus seeds extracted from soil samples) and pretreatment (i.e. seed water-immersion for 48h at room temperature). Germination was delayed for four weeks (≈30 days) in all cases, regardless of both factors analyzed. Moreover, nine additional days were necessary to achieve high germination values (in the case of fresh, pretreated seeds). These results overall may indicate the existence of a non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy in P. angustifolius seeds. The water-immersion significantly enhanced seed germination, probably as a result of the hydration of recalcitrant seeds. Although germination of seeds extracted from soil samples was low, probably due to aging and pathogen effects throughout the time of burial, the study revealed the existence of a persistent soil seed bank (at least short-termed) of ≈42 viable seeds per m² in the upper 10cm of soil. Such a record is noteworthy since references to persistent soil seed banks in recalcitrant-seeded species are scarce in the literature. The population consequences derived from the formation of persistent soil seed banks in this endangered species are discussed. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (3): 1061-1069. Epub 2011 September 01.

Podocarpus angustifolius es un árbol endémico de los bosques lluviosos de la región de Pinar del Río y la parte central de Cuba, que se encuentra en peligro de extinción. En este estudio se evaluó la germinación de sus semillas y la naturaleza del banco de semillas del suelo. Específicamente, se analizó la respuesta germinativa de las semillas a dos factores: su procedencia (recolectadas directamente de los árboles versus extraídas de muestras de suelo) y el pretratamiento (inmersión en agua durante 48h a temperatura ambiente). La germinación no comenzó hasta las cuatro semanas (≈30 días) en todos los casos. Además, fueron necesarios 9 días más para alcanzar un valor elevado de germinación (en el caso de semillas recolectadas del árbol con pretratamiento), lo que parece indicar la existencia de un letargo de tipo morfofisiológico simple no profundo. El pretratamiento incrementó significativamente la germinación, posiblemente por hidratación de las semillas recalcitrantes. El estudio demostró la existencia de un banco de semillas persistente en el suelo, al menos de corta duración de ≈42 semillas viables por m² en los 10 primeros cm del suelo. Dicho hallazgo es destacable, ya que los casos descritos en la literatura sobre bancos persistentes en especies con semillas recalcitrantes son escasos. Además, se discute la importancia que tiene para esta especie amenazada la existencia de un banco de semillas persistente.

Superação da dormência em sementes de visgueiro-do-igapó (Parkia discolor) / Overcoming seed dormancy in visgueiro-of-the-igapó (Parkia discolor)

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de tratamentos pré-germinativos de escarificação mecânica, bem como pré-tratamentos com calor, sobre a germinação de sementes de visgueiro-do-igapó (Parkia discolor Spruce ex Benth.). No primeiro experimento, sob delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições, foram avaliados os pré-tratamentos: testemunha (sem pré-tratamento); desponte no lado distal; desponte no lado proximal; desponte nos lados distal e proximal; lixamento no lado distal; lixamento no lado proximal; lixamento nos lados distal e proximal; perfuração do tegumento com ferro-de-solda; e perfuração com pirógrafo. No segundo experimento, foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 (calor: seco e úmido) x 4 (temperatura: 40ºC, 50ºC, 60ºC e 70ºC) x 5 (período de condicionamento: 6, 16, 24, 30 e 48 horas), com três repetições. O desponte ou lixamento das sementes na porção proximal e porções proximal e distal possibilitaram uma embebição mais rápida (143-163 por cento, aos três dias e meio) e, conseqüentemente, melhores resultados de germinação (98-100 por cento, aos quatro dias), do índice de velocidade de germinação (1,351-1,460) e do tempo médio de germinação (3 dias). Os pré-tratamentos com calor (úmido e seco), sob diferentes temperaturas, e por vários períodos de condicionamento não superaram a dormência de sementes de P. discolor.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pregerminative mechanical scarification treatments, as well as heat pre-treatments on the germination of visgueiro-of-the-igapó (Parkia discolor Spruce ex Benth.) seeds. The first experiment, with a completely randomized design and four repetitions, evaluated these pre-treatments: control (without pre-treatment); clipping at the distal portion; clipping at the proximal portion (hilum); clipping at the proximal and distal portions; scraping at the distal portion; scraping at the proximal portion; scraping at the proximal and distal portions; perforation of the husk with a soldering-iron; and perforation by pyrography. In the second experiment, with a completely randomized design and factorial 2 (heat: dry and wet) x 4 (temperature: 40ºC, 50ºC, 60ºC and 70ºC) x 5 (period of conditioning: 6, 16, 24, 30 and 48 hours), with three repetitions. The clipping or scraping of the seeds in the proximal portion and proximal and distal portions allowed faster imbibition of the seeds (143-163 percent in three days and half), and consequently, better germination (98-100 percent in four days), germination speed rate (1,351-1,460) and average time of germination (3 days). The pre-treatment with heat (wet and dry), under different temperatures and different conditioning periods did not overcome the dormancy of P. discolor seeds.