Germination of Eugenia brasiliensis, E. involucrata, E. pyriformis, and E. uniflora (Myrtaceae) under water-deficit conditions

Abstract: This work aims at evaluating the tolerance of seeds of Eugenia brasiliensis Lam., E. involucrata DC., E. pyriformis Camb., and E. uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) to water deficit. Germination was carried out in polyethylene glycol 6000 solutions, at different osmotic potentials (0.0, -0.5, -1.0, -1.5, -2.0, -3.0, -4.0, and -5.0 MPa). The seeds were also placed in trays containing sand as substrate, and the water was replenished at different times, for up to 34 days. Seeds were evaluated as for their ability to undergoing a deficit period, and of germinating when water was made available again. In general, Eugenia spp. seeds were able to germinate at up to -1.5 MPa. In water potentials lower than 0.0 MPa, the beginning of germination experienced a delay, and it became better distributed throughout time. In the trays, the water restriction for up to 16 days did not limit normal seedling development. Seeds of Eugenia spp. were considerably tolerant to water deficit, as for both intensity and duration, which guarantees the development of seedlings and the propagation of the species