Many studies have described seed germination as an extremally vulnerable growth phase and seed germinability in response to acidity may subsides the knowledge about the differences in floristic composition. Seeds of two native species from Brazil, Erythrina speciosa Andr. and Eugenia brasiliensis Lam., and a cultivated species (Cucumis sativus L.) were evaluated in relation to their sensibility to acidity and to different aluminium concentration, variable indirect related with the pH of the soil. Seeds of E. speciosa and C. sativus did not loose germinability even in pH 1.0. Aluminium affectted the germinability of the three species, resulting in total inhibition of germination in pH 1.0 and 2.0. E. brasiliensis showed the greatest sensitivity to environmental chemical conditions. Results showed that the effects of acidity on germination probably affect the phase of the germination process between imbibition and radicle protrusion.
acidity; aluminium; pH; tropical tree species
