For the preservation of Brazilian forest resources it becomes necessary the establishment of methodologies to assure the survival and reduction of vulnerability to the extinction of threatened species. The main aim of this work was to study the controlled storage of seeds of "faveiro" (Dimorphandra mollis Benth.), an endangered Brazilian "Cerrado" tree species, in order to determine its viability equation constants allowing for the conservation of those materials as well as to guarantee its availability. Seed moisture contents fresh weight basis were adjusted from the initial values through rehydration above water in a closed container or by drying in desiccator with silica gel, until achieving the desired moisture content values. Seed subsamples of eight moisture contents (1.6%; 5.2%; 6.9%; 8.4%; 9.2%; 10.6%; 11.4% and 13.2%, initial value of 9.2%) were sealed in laminated aluminium-foil packets and stored at 40, 50 and 65 °C, until complete survival curves were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed by GLIM software. The species showed orthodox behaviour during storage. An inverse relationship was observed between moisture content and seed longevity. The calculated viability constants to predict D. mollis seed longevity are K E = 6.282; C W = 3.838; C H = 0.05405; C Q = 0.001316.
Dimorphandra mollis; forest species; hermetic storage; viability equation
