Germination of Stigmaphyllon blanchetii Seeds in Different Temperatures and Luminosity

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present work was to study the influence of temperature and light on germination of seeds of Stigmaphyllon blanchetii, popularly known as rat tail. The first stage of the research evaluated the effect of three constant temperatures (20 oC, 25 oC and 30 oC) and an alternating temperature (20-30 oC). In the second stage, for simulation of different types of light, four conditions of luminosity (white, red, far red and absence of light) were used. The temperatures that provided the best germination and development for S. blanchetii are the constant (30 oC) and the alternating (20-30 oC) ones. The seeds germinated both in the presence and absence of light, but there was greater germination and seedling development in the absence of light; thus they were classified as preferential negative photoblastic seeds.