Biodegradable capsules may increase the seed germination of forest species from the Cerrado

ABSTRACT: A good grasp of the different facets of seed germination of the plant species native to the Cerrado will facilitate the selection of species that can be used to restore degraded ecosystems. Hence, the objective of the current study was to confirm the ways biodegradable capsules affect the germination of the seeds of three tree species typical of the physiognomies of the Cerrado forest (Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Anadenanthera colubrina and Dipteryx alata). The experiments, conducted in a greenhouse, included two treatments: seeding performed inside biodegradable capsules and direct seeding on the substrate surface. Two seeds from each of the species were sown in plastic bags containing the Quartzarenic Neosol class of substrates. Using five replicates for each treatment resulted in 20 plastic bags for each. The greenhouse conditions included controlled temperature and relative humidity. Inside the capsules, the findings revealed that the baru, angico-branco and tamboril seeds germinated at the rates of 97%, 42%, and 12%, respectively. However, during direct seeding, germination rates for baru, angico-branco and tamboril were 15%, 21% and 8%. From the findings, it is evident that when biodegradable capsules are used, the germination of all three Cerrado species investigated is favoured. Thus, both capsules and the cited species can be recommended for projects of ecological restoration.