Variation the germination time of seeds in a natural population of Bromelia antiacantha Berthol-(03-263)

Abstract

Bromelia antiacantha is a terrestrial bromeliad, native of the Atlantic Forest, commonly used in the folk medicine by its anthelminthic and antitussive medicinal properties. This species is also used in the treatment of kidney stones. The species, a non-timber forest product, presents a potential for sustainable management. Thus, the understanding of ecology aspects related to the seeds germination could provide information about management strategies of natural population, germoplasm collection and domesticação. In this work, it was studied the time variation in the germination of seeds of a B. antiacantha natural population. The experiment was carried out in controlled atmosphere, with seeds collected from 45 reproductive plants in Três Barras, SC/ (IBAMA) National Forest, south Brazil. The analysis of variance of the percentage seeds germination in different dates indicated the existence of difference among the reproductive plants for all the analyzed times. These were more pronounced at 35 days after sowing. The data presented fitting to two different regression models. The germination rates obtained indicate differences in the time of germination between reproductive plants. Some reproductive plants needed less than 36 days to germinate 80% of their seeds, while others needed more than 72 days to obtain the same percentage of germination. Thus, B. antiacantha has an adapted strategy that makes possible a continuous and gradual entrance of its seedlings in its population. This strategy enlarges dispersion and natural regeneration possibilities of this species and has implication in the management of natural population, domestication and germoplasm conservation.