Taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) is a fruit species very appreciated in northern and northeastern Brazil. However, a few phytotechnical problems still persist, such as irregular and distributed germination along the time. The aim of the present paper was to study seed germination characteristics by pointing out some causes, which contribute for poor seed germination, as well as providing useful information for producing high quality seeds. The present study was carried out under environmental conditions at the Biological Science Institute in the Federal University of Amazonas. The endocarps were put to dry in the open air. After 24 h the masses of 20 endocarps were determined and then put to germinate; this procedure was repeated every five days for 135 days. Taperebá seeds lost no viability when put to dry in the air for 135 days. The seeds drying period diminished its average germination time. Taperebá endocarps are eurocarpic, each one containing from 1 to 4 viable seeds. Taperebá germination is the epigeous fanerocotiledonar type. Radicle and hypocotyls protrusion takes place on the truncated portion of the endocarp. More than one seed can germinate at the same time from the endocarp, yet only one main root will develop.
Spondias mombin L.; average germinating time; morphology
