Overcoming seed dormancy in visgueiro-of-the-igapó (Parkia discolor)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pregerminative mechanical scarification treatments, as well as heat pre-treatments on the germination of visgueiro-of-the-igapó (Parkia discolor Spruce ex Benth.) seeds. The first experiment, with a completely randomized design and four repetitions, evaluated these pre-treatments: control (without pre-treatment); clipping at the distal portion; clipping at the proximal portion (hilum); clipping at the proximal and distal portions; scraping at the distal portion; scraping at the proximal portion; scraping at the proximal and distal portions; perforation of the husk with a soldering-iron; and perforation by pyrography. In the second experiment, with a completely randomized design and factorial 2 (heat: dry and wet) x 4 (temperature: 40ºC, 50ºC, 60ºC and 70ºC) x 5 (period of conditioning: 6, 16, 24, 30 and 48 hours), with three repetitions. The clipping or scraping of the seeds in the proximal portion and proximal and distal portions allowed faster imbibition of the seeds (143-163% in three days and half), and consequently, better germination (98-100% in four days), germination speed rate (1,351-1,460) and average time of germination (3 days). The pre-treatment with heat (wet and dry), under different temperatures and different conditioning periods did not overcome the dormancy of P. discolor seeds.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de tratamentos pré-germinativos de escarificação mecânica, bem como pré-tratamentos com calor, sobre a germinação de sementes de visgueiro-do-igapó (Parkia discolor Spruce ex Benth.). No primeiro experimento, sob delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições, foram avaliados os pré-tratamentostestemunha (sem pré-tratamento); desponte no lado distal; desponte no lado proximal; desponte nos lados distal e proximal; lixamento no lado distal; lixamento no lado proximal; lixamento nos lados distal e proximal; perfuração do tegumento com ferro-de-solda; e perfuração com pirógrafo. No segundo experimento, foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 (calorseco e úmido) x 4 (temperatura40ºC, 50ºC, 60ºC e 70ºC) x 5 (período de condicionamento6, 16, 24, 30 e 48 horas), com três repetições. O desponte ou lixamento das sementes na porção proximal e porções proximal e distal possibilitaram uma embebição mais rápida (143-163%, aos três dias e meio) e, conseqüentemente, melhores resultados de germinação (98-100%, aos quatro dias), do índice de velocidade de germinação (1,351-1,460) e do tempo médio de germinação (3 dias). Os pré-tratamentos com calor (úmido e seco), sob diferentes temperaturas, e por vários períodos de condicionamento não superaram a dormência de sementes de P. discolor

Valuation of the Aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão): perspectives on conservation

Assigning an economic value to a given environmental asset has helped conservation proposals, and valuing these assets at levels comparable to market rates facilitates the establishment of environmental policies. Thus, this research aimed to assess the value of the species Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, using the method of contingent valuation to determine the maximum willingness to pay of frequent visitors to the Caruaru Fair, located in northeastern Brazil. Our results show that most interviewees agreed to participate in proposals to support species conservation, although the average willingness to pay (WTP) was relatively low compared to other surveys conducted in Brazil. However, a significant number of the interviewees had exceptionally low monthly incomes. Another relevant aspect of this research was the high number of people (98.5% of the informants) who were concerned about biodiversity conservation; many interviewees stated that the preservation of biodiversity is not a duty exclusive to the government or the people but rather a collective responsibility. Therefore, these findings may encourage the provision of public proposals for environmental conservation, along with other surveys or government actions funded by a society that has the willingness to pay for them. This study is the first economic valuation of a caatinga species, many of which are under threat of extinction.Atribuir valor econômico a um dado recurso ambiental e avaliá-lo a níveis comparáveis com preços de mercado poderá auxiliar propostas para sua conservação e facilitar o estabelecimento de políticas ambientais. Assim, esta pesquisa estabelece um valor econômico para M. urundeuva Allemão, baseado na disposição máxima a pagar (DAP) das pessoas que freqüentam a feira de Caruaru, situada no Nordeste brasileiro, utilizando-se o método da Valoração Contingente. A maioria dos entrevistados concordou em participar de propostas para viabilizar a conservação da espécie, muito embora a DAP encontrada seja relativamente baixa, comparando-se a outros trabalhos conduzidos no Brasil. Muitos entrevistados apresentaram baixa renda mensal. Destaca-se o elevado número de pessoas (98,5% dos informantes) que demonstraram preocupação com a conservação da biodiversidade e muitos indicaram que a preservação da biodiversidade não é uma tarefa exclusiva do governo ou da sociedade, mas de todos juntos. Conseqüentemente, esta pesquisa pode incentivar, juntamente a outras pesquisas ou ações governamentais, o implemento de propostas públicas para a conservação ambiental financiada por uma sociedade que tenha a disposição a pagar. Este é o primeiro estudo de valoração econômica de uma espécie vegetal da caatinga que se configura em listas atuais de plantas ameaçadas de extinção

ADVANCES IN THE PROPAGATION OF RAMBUTAN TREE

ABSTRACT The reality of Brazilian fruit farming is demonstrating increasing demand for sustainable information about native and exotic fruit, which can diversify and elevate the efficiency of fruit exploitation. Research on propagation of fruits tree is very important so that it can provide a protocol for suitable multiplication of this fruitful. Due to the great genetic diversity of rambutan plants, it is recommended the use of vegetative propagated plants. This research aimed to evaluate the propagation of rambutan by cuttings, layering and grafting, as well as seed germination and viability without storage. The results of this research indicate that this species can be successfully propagated by layering, grafting and seeds. We also observed that the germination percentage of seeds kept inside the fruits for six days were not influenced by the different substrates used in this experiment

ADVANCES IN THE PROPAGATION OF RAMBUTAN TREE

ABSTRACT The reality of Brazilian fruit farming is demonstrating increasing demand for sustainable information about native and exotic fruit, which can diversify and elevate the efficiency of fruit exploitation. Research on propagation of fruits tree is very important so that it can provide a protocol for suitable multiplication of this fruitful. Due to the great genetic diversity of rambutan plants, it is recommended the use of vegetative propagated plants. This research aimed to evaluate the propagation of rambutan by cuttings, layering and grafting, as well as seed germination and viability without storage. The results of this research indicate that this species can be successfully propagated by layering, grafting and seeds. We also observed that the germination percentage of seeds kept inside the fruits for six days were not influenced by the different substrates used in this experiment