Biometrics and Physiological Potential of Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan Seeds at Function of the Fruit Development Stage

Abstract

The research aimed to evaluate the biometric and physiological characteristics of seeds of Anadenanthera colubrina as a function of changes in the color of the fruit's epicarp. The fruits were classified in four stages of maturation according to the color of the epicarp. In the first stage the fruits were green, in the second stage they were colored in transition from green to dark brown, in the third stage they were dark brown and in the fourth stage they were light brown. After the classification of the maturation stages, the seeds were extracted, biometrically characterized and tested for viability and vigor. The physiological potential as well as the biometry of the seeds of A. colubrina underwent changes due to the development of the fruit. The physical and physiological characteristics of A. colubrina seeds showed a good contribution to classify the most vigorous lots.