Physiological maturity of Tabebuia aurea (Silva Manso) Benth. & Hook. f. ex S. Moore seeds

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this research was to verify the efficiency of physical and biochemical indices in determining the physiological maturity of Tabebuia aurea seeds, as well as to evaluate the post-harvest storage of fruits with different maturation stages on germination and vigor. For this, 200 fruits were classified as dark green (stage I), light green (stage II), and light brown (stage III) epicarp. Freshly harvested fruits were evaluated for length, width, and weight and their seeds for length, width, thickness, thousand-seed weight, water content, electrical conductivity, and chemical composition. Subsequently, a factorial consisting of three maturation stages and four storage periods of fruits (0, 5, 10 and 15 days) were used, and water content, germination, germination speed index, root length, shoot length, and seedling dry matter were evaluated. Physical and biochemical indices can be used as maturation indicators in T. aurea seeds, except fruit length, seed thickness, electrical conductivity, and protein content. The maximum germination and vigor of T. aurea seeds were obtained in fruits at stages I (dark green) or II (light green) associated with post-harvest storage of fifteen days.