Do scarification and seed soaking periods promote maximum vigor in seedlings of Hymenaea courbaril?

Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish a methodology to determine physiological vigor in small and large seeds of Hymenaea courbaril L. non-scarified seeds and scarified by the electrical conductivity test and period of seed soaking in water aiming at maximum capacity of emergence and seedling vigor. The design was completely randomized, in a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial scheme (two classes of seed mass, non-scarified seeds and scarified and five periods of soaking in water), with 10 replicates of 10 seeds each. The variables evaluated were electrical conductivity (μS cm-1.g-1), emergence speed (index), seedling emergence (%) and mean time of emergence (days), obtained by means of daily counts until stabilization in the values. Maximum vigor of Hymenaea courbaril seedlings is obtained with large seeds subjected to scarification and soaked in water for six hours. Water content of 18.7% in large seeds of Hymenaea courbaril scarified promotes the production of 100% of vigorous seedlings. Small and large seeds of Hymenaea courbaril non-scarified seeds and scarified, soaked for six hours, had shorter mean time for seedling emergence. Water content of 20.6% in small seeds of Hymenaea courbaril scarified promotes 100% seedling emergence. The electrical conductivity test applied to Hymenaea courbaril seeds can be adopted to determine seed vigor, showing speed in the obtaining of results and ease of execution.