Effect of Mechanical, Chemical and Physical Scarification on the Germination of Brazil Nut Seeds (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) in Peru

Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl. (Brazil nut) is an economically important species in the Amazon, whose natural seed production takes between 365 and 545 days and shows low germination rates. To reduce the production time of germinated Brazil nut seeds and optimize the variables associated with the germination process, one factor was evaluated: type of seed scarification, resulting in one control and four treatments. Fifty seeds per replication and 200 seeds per treatment were evaluated, all sourced from the same Brazil nut plantation, with 10 days of storage. The results revealed that seeds with complete seed coat removal began germination 23 days after sowing and, after 187 days, showed the highest germination potential (96%), germination energy (92.2%), germination speed coefficient (0.49), mean germination time (118 days), and germination rate (0.31). The findings of this study could be used to reduce the germination time of B. excelsa seeds and increase their germination potential. The results obtained on the quality and germination process of Bertholletia excelsa (Amazon nut) seeds allow for more efficient management practices in forest nurseries and reforestation programs, prioritizing seedhead removal as an essential treatment to ensure homogeneous production, with higher values of potential, energy, and germination rate, as well as an adequate average germination time.