ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to study the maturation process of Erythrina crista-galli L. seeds to determinate the ideal collect period. In this regard, six trees located in Santa Maria (RS) were used from which were collected weekly, starting with fruits and followed until seeds maturation. The parameters observed to indicate seed maturation were: fruit and seed dimensions; seed fresh and dry matter; moisture content, germination test (expressed by normal seedlings) and vigor (first count of germination). The seeds dimensions were highest in the same period of maximum germination, with values 167.0, 8.72 and 8.60 mm of length, thickness and width, respectively. The seeds moisture content could be used to indicate the seeds maturation, and also seeds fresh and dry matter with maximum values on the eighth week, 31.6 %, 0.693 and 0.474 g/seed, respectively. The Erythrina crista-galli has dormant seeds after physiological maturation, with low percentage of germination on the tenth week after anthesis. The point of physiological maturation in Santa Maria - RS conditions happens on the eighth week after anthesis, with germination percentage of 50%, which were indicate by all parameters observed.
Keywords:
Erythrina crista-galli; collect period; forest seeds