Storage behaviour in Euterpe edulis Mart. seeds

Abstract

This experiment was performed at the Seed Laboratory of Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using fresh seeds of Heart of Palm (Euterpe edulis Mart.) collected at the Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima, Nova Friburgo, RJ. The objective was to identify seed behaviour (orthodox, intermediate or recalcitrant) to ensure its conservation on seed-germplasm banks. The results indicate that Heart of Palm seeds are recalcitrant because of their great sensitivity to dehydration and freezing temperatures. Those characteristics point to the need of new approaches on ex-situ conservation given that conventional storage techniques used by seed-germplasm banks could not be used.