Individual variability in morphometry and emergence of seeds of Combretum leprosum

Abstract

Combretum leprosum Mart. is a medicinal species of the Brazilian savanna with good potential potential for use in the regeneration of degraded areas, mainly because it is resistant to burning. This study aimed to evaluate the fruit and seed morphometry, emergence and early plant development of C. leprosum. The seeds of C. leprosum were extracted from mature fruits from five different mother plants in Mossoró-RN. The fruit and seeds lots varied in length, diameter and mass and mother plant 1 had the lowest seed diameters and mass and also the lower averages for all evaluated characteristics of the seedlings. Seeds of mother plant 2, 3 and 5 had a short period of emergence. There was variation in emergence rates among the individuals. Combretum leprosum individuals has variability in emergence and biometrics of seeds, and these characteristics influence the quality of seedlings.