SUB-FREEZING EFFECT ON VIABILITY OF ANADE NANTHERA-PEREGRINA (L.) SPEG. SEEDS WITH DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONTENTS

Angico (Anadenanthera peregrina (L.) Speg.) is a forest species, Legum inoseae-Mimosoideae, occuring from the Amazon Region down to the South east of Brazil, mainly in the savannas. It is used in urban landscapin g and tannage, due to the high tannin content (15-20%) of its bark. Th e purpose of this work was to study angico seed behaviour under differ ent moisture contents and storage conditions, aiming at the establishm ent of methods for germplasm preservation. Seeds were submited to the following treatments: seeds with 5.56% initial moisture content (contr ol); seeds hydrated until reach 8.24% moisture content; seeds hydrated (8.24%) and dehydrated to 4.37%, and seeds hydrated (8.24%) and dehyd rated to 3.51%. After these treatments, seeds were packed in sealed tr ifoliated bags and stored for 72 hours at environmental temperature, - 20 degrees C (freezer) and -196 degrees C. (liquid nitrogen). Seed par ameters evaluated were germination, vigor and water uptake. Viability was maintained in each one of the storage methods, distinguishing, how ever, the-better performance of hydrated seeds (8.24% moisture content ) stored at liquid nitrogen. It was evident from the results obtained that seeds of this species presented orthodox behaviour, as they were tolerant to drying and freezing at sub-zero temperatures.