Survival of native forest seedlings in riparian forest at Sergipe State, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the temporal behavior of seedlings survival from seeds without and with the application of treatment to overcome dormancy. We used native forest species, in a riparian forest area of the Piauitinga River, at the municipality of Lagarto, Sergipe State, Brazil. In the field, the design of the direct sowing was in randomized blocks, testing 5 native species (2 pioneer: Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. e Cecropia pachystachya Trécul. and 3 climax species, that are demanding of light: Cassia grandis L.f., Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) and Libidibia ferrea var. leiostachya L. P. Queiroz). We used 2 treatments (without and with the application of treatment to overcome dormancy) in four replicate samples. Seedlings of Enterolobium contortisiliquum from seeds without treatment to overcome dormancy presented the highest survival among the species and treatments used. Libidibia ferrea var. leiostachya presented late emergence. The initial survival of the species seedlings used in the riparian forest sections of the Piauitinga River showed a decrease over time until stabilization was achieved after sowing, regardless treatment to overcome dormancy.