Hymenaea martiana is of ecological, socioeconomic and folk medicine importance. However, information on how climatic conditions influence the production and quality of its seeds in natural populations is still limited. Influenced by interannual environmental variations. Considering the context of global environmental changes and the need to support collection, management, and conservation practices, this study aimed to analyze whether interannual variations in environmental conditions affect the physical and physiological quality of H. martiana seeds among different individuals of the remaining natural population of the Atlantic Forest in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba. Fruits were collected from 15 mother plants in 2021 and 2022, and the physical characteristics of the seeds, as well as characteristics related to emergence and initial seedling development, were analyzed. A completely randomized design was used, with a 2 × 15 factorial scheme (years and mother plants), with univariate and multivariate analyses being applied. The physical and physiological characteristics of H. martiana seeds are influenced by interannual environmental conditions and genetic variability among parent plants. Among the characteristics evaluated, final emergence was the most sensitive to environmental changes. Therefore, adopting strategies that consider these factors is essential to ensure the production of high-quality seeds, directly influencing the success of forest restoration, conservation, and sustainable use programs for this species.

The success of reforestation depends on seed quality, making it essential to assess their physiological potential. This evaluation can be carried out through vigor tests, such as the exudate pH test, which is considered quick and cost-effective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exudate-phenolphthalein pH test in assessing the viability of seed lots of Crateva tapia L. A completely randomized design in a 2 × 5 × 5 factorial scheme was used, with two temperatures (20 and 30 °C), five soaking periods (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 min), and five seed lots (I: matrix 0, II: matrix 99, III: matrix 100, IV: matrix 101 from Juarez Távora, and V: matrix Remígio). In the Seed Analysis Laboratory, the physical and physiological characteristics of the seeds were determined, followed by exudate pH and germination tests to verify the results. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were grouped by the Scott-Knott test. Lot I showed the lowest vigor, a result confirmed by the exudate pH test. The tests for first count, percentage, and germination speed index were effective in evaluating seed lot quality. The pH test, conducted at 20 °C for 30 min, proved efficient in analyzing seed viability.

Crateva tapia L. é uma espécie nativa, indicada para programas de recuperação de áreas degradadas e reflorestamento, porém, para o sucesso desses programas é necessário fazer uso de sementes de qualidade e, na avaliação do seu vigor tem-se o teste de envelhecimento acelerado. Assim, objetivou-se nesse trabalho adaptar a metodologia do teste de envelhecimento acelerado para sementes de C. tapia, expostas a diferentes condições. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes (LAS), no CCA, UFPB, Campus II. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 5 x 3, correspondente a cinco períodos de exposição das sementes ao envelhecimento acelerado (0, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas) e três temperaturas (41, 43 e 45 °C). As variáveis analisadas foram grau de umidade e a qualidade fisiológica das sementes. O grau de umidade das sementes aumentou independentemente da temperatura, em função dos períodos de envelhecimento. A máxima porcentagem de germinação ocorreu quando as sementes foram envelhecidas na temperatura de 45 °C (94,6%), mas reduziu em função dos períodos de envelhecimento. O tempo e a velocidade média de germinação não foram influenciados pelas soluções de envelhecimento. O aumento da temperatura e dos períodos de envelhecimento, reduziu até 36% no comprimento de plântulas. O teste de envelhecimento acelerado conduzido na temperatura de 45 °C por 24 h é a combinação adequada para avaliar o vigor das sementes de C. tapia.

Species like Crateva tapia, valued for its ecological and nutritional importance, with discontinuous flowering and fruiting, make it challenging to anticipate the harvest time of fruits and determine the physiological maturity of seeds due to the variety of maturation stages on a single plant. Thus, the objective in this study was to determine the physiological maturity of C. tapia seeds. A completely randomized design was used, in a split plot scheme with four replicates. In the plots was evaluated the production cycles 2020-2021 (cycle I) and 2021-2022 (cycle II), and in the split plot was evaluated the maturation stages: 25, 40, 55, 70, 85, 100, 115, 130, 145, 160, and 175 days after anthesis. The evaluated characteristics included the physical (fruit and seeds) and physiological (seeds) traits throughout their development. As the fruits matured, their color changed from deep green to yellow, while the seeds transitioned from pink to dark brown. The seeds reached maximum germination capacity and vigor at 153 and 126 days in cycle I, respectively, and at 149 and 136 days after anthesis in cycle II, respectively. C. tapia seeds reach physiological maturity between 142 and 150 days after anthesis. Morphological aspects of the fruits, such as green coloration with small yellow traces, indicate the physiological maturation of the seeds. The development of C. tapia seeds involves morphological and physiological changes that affect their quality and germination capacity. Climatic conditions (temperature and precipitation) during seed formation influence the germination process and vigor.