Effect of different substrata on the germination of Terminalia argentea seeds (Combretaceae)

Abstract

Terminalia argentea popularly known as capitão-do-mato, is an arboreal species used in the civil construction. To better understand the native species characteristics, it was evaluated the water rate, germination rate and rate of the seeds vigour in five substrata (sandy soil, clayey soil, sand, vermiculite and filter paper). The seeds of the species presented 26.6% of water content, being the clayey soil substrata, with 26% of germination and sandy substrata soil, with 22%, the ones that presented the best results. The biggest IVG also was obtained in sandy soil substrata (0.64) and clay soil (0.52). The variations in the percentages and speeds of germination are related to the use of different substratum, explained by variation of water availability.