Teste de tetrazólio para avaliação da qualidade de sementes de Tabebuia roseoalba (Ridl.) Sandwith - bignoniaceae, submetidas ao armazenamento

The species of Tabebuia are propagated sexually, and the use of high-quality seeds is crucial to achieving success in restoration of degraded areas, timber and medicinal production. Thus, the use of rapid tests in programs to control seed quality is an essential tool for the assessment of their physiological quality. The objectives of the present study were to establish the methodology for conducting the tetrazolium test in seeds of T. roseoalba and verify seed viability as a function of storage time, evaluating germination parameters and comparing them with the results of the tetrazolium test. The fruits were manually harvested at the opening, and fresh seeds and seeds stored up to 24 months were evaluated by tetrazolium test, germination, emergence, length and dry weight of seedlings. The tetrazolium at a concentration of 0.05% at 36 degrees C for 24 hours is indicated to assess the viability of T. roseoalba, and during storage germination, length and dry weight of the seedlings are reduced and the germination in nursery is sharply reduced with seed storage in 24 months.