BIOMETRICS OF MULUNGU SEEDS FROM DIFFERENT MOTHER PLANTS IN THE SEMI-ARID REGION OF PARAiBA, BRAZIL

Erythrina velutina Willd. (Fabaceae) is drought tolerant and has the potential for reforestation in the semi-arid region. The response of its seeds to the environmental conditions of each production area influences their size, weight, physiological potential, and health. Thus, this study aimed to assess how the environmental conditions of the different regions of Paraiba influence the biometric characteristics of E. velutina seeds. Seeds from 19 mother plants collected in Juru, Sume, Aracagi, Guarabira, Sao Joao do Cariri, Esperanca, Queimadas, Cuite, Boa Vista, and Areia, in the state of Paraiba, Brazil, were used in this study. Water content, thousand-seed weight, and biometric characteristics (length, width, and thickness) were determined in the seeds from each location. The water content ranged from 3.11 to 6.84%, while the thousand-seed weight was higher in mother plants grown in Sume and Cuite. Seed length ranged from 9.00 to 16.84 mm, being higher in mother plants grown in Juru. Seed thickness and width ranged from 5 to 12.99 mm and were larger in mother plants from Cuite. Temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind, and precipitation caused variations in the length, width, and thickness of E. velutina seeds, with higher means observed in mother plants grown in Cuite.