Comportamento de sementes de Peltophorum dubium [(Spreng.) Taub.] em banco de sementes induzido

The ability of certain species in keeping the seeds viable for long periods in the soil seed bank is essential for environmental resilience, which is used in forest restoration. This work aimed to study the behavior of a buried seed bank of P. dubium. Burial seed bank was performed in a fragment of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest. One hundred samples consisting of 25 seeds in polyethylene cups were placed under the canopy. Every two months, five samples were taken for determination of water content, viability, emergency (root protrusion and seedling formation) and predation. Seeds of P. dubium may remain buried in the ground for up to 16 months keeping their viability. This result indicates that P. dubium is able to form persistent soil seed bank. The predation was the main factor contributing to the seed bank reduction.