AVALIAÇÃO EXPERIMENTAL DA EFICIÊNCIA DE ALGUNS MÉTODOS DE QUEBRA DE DORMÊNCIA EM SEMENTES DE GARAPA (Apuleia leiocarpa (Vog.) Macbr.)

ABSTRACT Dormant seeds of "garapa" (Apuleia leiocarpa (Vog.) Marcbr.) were submitted to four alternative pre-treatments to induce rapid germination. Treatments tested were seed scarification by means of mechanical and chemical (hhSCu treatment) methods, excision of the seed-extremity opposite to the hilum, and soaking the seeds in water at 100°C. Results suggest that the excision and scarification methods are equally efficient as far as the promotion of rapid germination is concerned. The treatment with hot water was shown to cause permanent damage to the seed embryo, substantially reducing germination.