Morpho-physiological classification of seeds and morphology of fruits and seedlings of Richeria grandis

Abstract The objective was to describe and characterize the fruit morphology, seeds, seedlings and germination of Richeria grandis. Mature fruits were collected from matrix trees located in gallery forests. After, morphological descriptions were performed. Biometric measurement of fruits and seeds were carried out. A total of 650 seeds were randomly separated, with 20% being used for germination and humidity testing on the same day of collection and the others stored for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. The germination test was performed in a gerbox, conducted in a laboratory chamber of the type B.O.D (biochemical oxygen demand) with a photoperiod of 12h and a temperature of 25 ºC ± 1 ºC. Periodic observations were made to monitor the development of the seedlings until the first germinated seeds reached the full seedling stage. The fruit of R. grandis is a simple, dry, capsule type septifraga, dehiscent and schizocarpic, with average length of 16.24 mm and an average width of 8.57 mm. The seed is an ellipsoid shape, containing a sarcotesta and has an average length of 7.40 mm and an average width of 4.57 mm. R. grandis presents recalcitrant seeds, which emerge in a Phanero-epigene-foliaceous manner. The radicle breaks the integument on the second day after sowing, the collection is evidenced on the 10th day, separating the primary root from the hypocotyl. At day 16, the cotyledons expand from the forehead, positioned at a 90º angle to the hypocotyl. The protophyll and the epicotyl appear only after the 50th day, characterizing the complete seedling.