Abstract This study aims to determine the effect of nursery production time and container size on the quality standards of production of Simarouba amara seedlings based on nursery and field performance. The work was conducted in two phases: evaluation of nursery growth and field performance. A completely randomized design was used in both phases. Three container sizes (55, 180 and 280cm³) and four nursery production times (105, 125, 135 and 145 days) were tested. Height, collar diameter and survival were evaluated. S. amara seedlings can be produced in a 180 cm³ container with a maximum nursery production time of 125 days. The quality standard for seedlings corresponds to collar diameter ≥ 4.2 and height ≥ 9.1 cm.

Abstract Classifying seeds in terms of desiccation tolerance is the first step in determining the potential and most appropriate conditions for storage. This study aimed to characterize the tolerance to desiccation of Diospyros inconstans seeds from fruits at different maturity stages. Germination tests were performed in a 3 x 6 factorial scheme, with seeds from fruits at three maturity stages (unripe, intermediate and ripe) and six moisture contents (initial, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5% and 2.5%). Accumulated germination was analyzed by the nonlinear models Gompertz and Logistic. The percentages of normal seedlings and unviable seeds were subjected to analyses of variance and regression. Diospyros inconstans seeds are tolerant to desiccation. The tolerance is higher in seeds from fruit with intermediate maturation than unripe and ripe fruits.

RESUMO Na ausência de conhecimento sobre os procedimentos para produção de mudas de determinada espécie arbórea, elegem-se, como aspectos prioritários para estudos, a determinação do tempo de permanência em viveiro e os padrões de qualidade das mudas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tempo de permanência em viveiro, os padrões de qualidade e o tamanho de recipiente para produção de mudas de P. cauliflorum Landrum & Sobral, com base na performance em viveiro e em campo. O trabalho foi conduzido em duas etapas, analisando o crescimento em viveiro e posteriormente a performance em campo. Foram testados três tamanhos de recipientes: 55 cm3 (12.5 cm de comprimento x 2.9 cm de diâmetro interno), 180 cm3 (13.5 x 5.2 cm) e 280 cm3 (19.0 x 5.2 cm) e diferentes tempos de permanência das mudas no viveiro (75, 90, 105 e 120 dias). Recomenda-se que as mudas de P. cauliflorum sejam cultivadas em recipientes de 180 cm3 (13,5 cm x 5,2 cm) e que permaneçam nesses recipientes por pelo menos 120 dias. O experimento para avaliar o desempenho pós-plantio foi crucial para obter resultados conclusivos para a produção de mudas de P. cauliflorum.

ABSTRACT In the absence of knowledge about the procedures for production of seedlings of particular tree species, determining the nursery production period and quality standards are normally priority aspects for studies. As there is no information on the propagation of P. cauliflorum in the literature, the objective of this study was to determine the length of stay in the nursery, the size of the container and the quality standards for the production of seedlings of this species, based on the performance in the nursery and in the field. The work was carried out in two stages. In the first, seedling growth was analyzed in the nursery and in the second stage their performance was analyzed in the field. We tested three container sizes: 55 cm3 (12.5 cm-length x 2.9 cm-internal diameter), 180 cm3 (13.5 cm x 5.2 cm) and 280 cm3 (19.0 cm x 5.2 cm) and different periods of seedling production in tubes (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 days). It is recommended that P. cauliflorum seedlings be grown in containers of 180 cm3 (13.5 cm x 5.2 cm) and remain in these containers for at least 120 days. The experiment to assess post-planting performance was crucial to obtain conclusive results for the production of P. cauliflorum seedlings.