Stylosanthes capitata germination response to environmental and chemical stimulus

The fast crop establishment is very important to the leguminous (Fabaceae), mainly if they were seeded in consort pastures with grass (Gramineae), where the seeds germination process on the field are guided by a group of environmental factors. The purpose of this work was to evaluate and to study these conditions, as for temperature, irradiance, hydric and saline stresses and aluminum concentration to the germination of Stylosanthes capitata. Studies were guided in laboratory to obtain certain conditions, and so, the germination index (GSI) and germination percentage were evaluated. The experimental design was the completely randomized. The species showed a significative sensibility to high temperatures, where the better was around 25 oC. Also, the species showed to be indifferent to the irradiance, although, the seeds answered to a positive trend related to the light absence. The hydric stress and saline effects were harmful to the germination percentage, according to the increment on the solution osmotic potential. The germination percentage was decreased with the increment of the aluminum concentration; however, this effect was not statistically significative.