Prolonged storage of seeds may lead to decreases in seed quality, negatively affecting germination and vigor and preventing the obtaining of a promising stand. Seed quality is a critical factor, and the performance of the lot can be altered by vigor, dormancy and, mainly, by the time and conditions in which the seeds were stored. In the experiment, the physiological quality of seeds 14 genotypes of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) genotypes stored for a period of thirteen years in cold conditions was evaluated. The seeds were subjected to germination induction treatment with potassium nitrate (KNO3) and evaluated to identify seeds with presence and absence of embryos. The seed storage period affected their germination capacity and the use of KNO3 did not increase seed germination. A low number of full seeds was found for genotype 613 (12%). The relative germination percentages did not underestimate the buffel grass seed germination potential, as it is usually calculated, providing an improved distinction between the evaluated genotypes. The use of KNO3 increased the seedling root and shoot weights of some genotypes, as well as the dry matter weight of seedlings, an important characteristic for forage production. The prolonged storage affects the physiological quality of buffel grass seeds. The production of seeds without embryo is a problem found for this species, which affects the final quality of the seed lots produced.

Tetrazolium test (TZT) can quickly evaluate in detail the viability and vigor of seeds. This study aimed to determine the optimal conditions for conducting the TZT on seeds of Handroanthus spongiosus. For this purpose, seeds from three lots were pre-soaked in water for 16 h, followed by extraction of the tegument and immersion in tetrazolium salt solutions at different concentrations (0.01–0.1%), for increasing periods (1–4 h) and at 30 °C in the dark. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with 25 seeds per repetition. We applied generalized linear models and the Tukey test for pairwise comparisons of the means at 5% probability. The viability/vigor results were compared with data obtained from the germination test at 25 °C using a subsample of seeds from the same lots. The time (1 h to 4 h) of immersion of the seeds in tetrazolium salt solutions did not cause a clear coloration difference. The seeds subjected to all treatment concentrations for 3 h presented average viability greater than 60%, with no difference in germination percentage. The TZT at 0.01% tetrazolium salt solution for 3 h was most efficient in assessing the viability of the Handroanthus spongiosus seeds.

Seed production, quality and germination are likely to be affected by a drastic climate change in semi-arid areas predicted for the end of the century. We evaluated Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschu (Fabaceae) seeds of different sizes, populations and harvest years for germination and tolerance to environmental stresses aiming to predict impacts of future climate. Seeds were accessed for germination temperature, salinity and osmotic limits and requirements. Germination of large and small seeds harvested in different populations was evaluated in optimum and stressful temperature, salinity and water deficit. A glasshouse pot assay tested weekly irrigation regimes and seedlings emergence and growth. Optimal temperature for seeds germination was 34.8 oC and limits were 5.6 oC and 50.9 oC. Large and small-sized seeds do not differ in germination, however small seeds are more efficient in stressful conditions. Seedlings can emerge and grow under small weekly irrigation for four months. The predicted increase in temperature will not impair germination, however, the time available for seedling establishment will decrease due to lacking rainfall. The increase in the amount of small-sized seeds produced in drought years is a strategy for coping with harsh environments, rather than a decrease in seed quality.

Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose is an endangered tree species. However, its seed quality, storage, and conservation strategies are issues still unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of H. spongiosus seeds subjected to different storage times, packaging, and environments for their conservation. A completely randomized experimental design was used, in a double factorial arrangement with an additional treatment (recently-harvested seeds), consisted of five storage times (up to 24 months) and six storage conditions, combining packaging types (permeable and impermeable) and environments (room, cold chamber, freezer, and liquid nitrogen conditions). Seed germination percentage and normal seedling percentage, shoot length, root length, and root to shoot dry weight ratio were evaluated. The seed germination and normal seedling percentages of H. spongiosus seeds conserved under room conditions decreased over the storage time. Normal seedling percentages decreased from the 12th month of storage onwards. Low and ultralow temperatures are recommended for short and medium-term conservation of H. spongiosus seeds, since they did not affect the growth of seedlings.

A salinidade é uma grande restrição ambiental para a produtividade de cultivos nas regiões áridas e semiáridas do mundo. Espécies silvestres do gênero Manihot são utilizados por pecuaristas do Semiárido nordestino como forragem para o rebanho de pequenos ruminantes, devido à sua rusticidade e tolerâncias às condições climáticas dessa região. A avaliação da tolerância durante o estágio de germinação de uma planta permite uma boa previsão de sua resposta à salinidade. Sendo assim, objetivou-se avaliar a germinação e crescimento inicial de plântulas de diferentes acessos de espécies silvestres do gênero Manihot em condições de salinidade. Foi realizado um experimento em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 6 x 3 (acessos x condutividade elétrica), com três repetições de 10 sementes. Foi avaliada a germinação e crescimento inicial de seis acessos oriundos da Coleção de Espécies Silvestres do Gênero Manihot da Embrapa Semiárido em substrato umedecido com soluções de NaCl nas condutividades elétricas 0, 4, 8 dS.m-1. O aumento da condutividade elétrica inibiu a germinação das sementes, com exceção do acesso BGMS38, que apresentou plântulas normais acima de 60% em até 8 dS.m-1. O aumento gradual da condutividade elétrica do substrato induz a inibição do processo germinativo e desenvolvimento inicial das plântulas.