Stored diaspores of Astronium urundeuva Fr. (M. Allemão) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) submitted to hydropriming

Abstract

Abstract: Seed deterioration is an irreversible process. However, techniques such as priming have been used after storage, in order to mitigate the harmful effects of aging. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological performance of A. urundeuva diaspores when stored and, subsequently, subjected to priming and drying, thus testing the hypothesis that hydropriming would mitigate deterioration. A completely randomized design was adopted, in a triple factorial scheme 2x4x4, considering two environments (laboratory and refrigerated chamber), four storage times (0, 45, 90, and 180 days), and four hydration times (0 h/dry diaspores, 5 h, 14 h 30 min, and 23 h 30 min). Emergence, speed index, and the number of days to 50% emergence were assessed, as well as length and dry mass of both shoot and root systems. The storage of A. urundeuva diaspores for 180 days leads to a reduction in their physiological performance, regardless of the environment. The hydropriming times are not effective in attenuating the harmful effects of deterioration. Nevertheless, hydropriming for 23 h 30 min provides a faster seedling establishment.