This research aimed at recording the influence of light during germination of canafistula seeds under water stress. Seeds of Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. were selected for this experiment. Four samples of 50 seeds were used in each test. The seeds were previously scarified with sulfuric acid during 20 minutes, rinsed and distributed in sterilized Petri dishes and incubated under optimal temperature. The dishes had a filter-paper moistened with test solution (PEG 6000 or manitol) in order to induce different osmotic potential values. The maximum tolerance limit under light or darkness, using PEG or manitol was between -1.4 and -1.6 MPa. When results of both osmotic treatments were compared, it was observed that seeds germinated faster in manitol than in PEG solutions. Under continuous light condition, the germination percentage was significantly reduced for seeds kept in manitol solutions. After 21 days under water stress (-1.6 to -2.0 MPa) the germination was suppressed. The seeds were rinsed in distilled water and maintained on 0.2% Captan solution, under the same light conditions. After 24 hours it was observed a recovery response. The seeds kept in manitol solutions presented lower values of germinability than those in PEG solutions. Continuous light conditions reduced the recovery response for seeds in manitol solutions.
osmotic agents; water stress; light; Peltophorum dubium
