Abstract

ALZUGARAY, C.; CARNEVALE, N. J.; SALINAS, A. R.  and  PIOLI, R.. Quality of Aspidosperma quebracho blanco Schlecht. seeds. Quebracho (Santiago del Estero) [online]. 2006, n.13, pp.26-35. ISSN 0328-0543.

Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schlecht (quebracho blanco) is a typical tree of the Parque Chaqueño. In Argentina, A. quebracho-blanco is found in forests that have been overexploited. The objective of this research was to evaluate the physiological quality of A. quebracho-blanco seeds harvested in 2000. The seeds were evaluated by tetrazolium test (TZ), standard germination tests, and for vigor by the germination velocity index (GVI) and average period of maximum germination (APMG) after 3, 12, and 18 months following harvest. Incidence of pathogens was determined in seeds three months after harvest. Tetrazolium viability was 74, 54 and 25% at the three dates. After three months of storage, 51% of the seeds germinated, but only 23% germinated after 18 months storage. Seeds tested 3 months after harvest showed the greatest vigor index (GVI and APMG). Since pathogen incidence was minimum, the moderate germination (51%) was not found to be associated with it.

Keywords : Forestal seeds; Viability; Germination; Vigor.