Luetzelburgia auriculata (Alemão) Ducke is a native tree species in Brazil with wood that is economically important in construction, carpentry and production of firewood and charcoal. A laboratory experiment was carried out to analyze seed germination of L. auriculata in the presence and absence of light, as well as constant temperatures of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 °C and alternating temperatures of 20-45 °C, all under a photoperiod of 12 hours and continuous darkness. The variables evaluated were: percentage, speed and medium time of germination. The seeds germinated in the presence and absence of light, the highest percentages of germination were at 20-40, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C and the lowest at 40 °C. The seeds were indifferent to light. The optimum temperature range was between 25 and 30 °C, which promoted a high germination rate and a lower average germination time.
Forest seeds; photoperiod; seed size; semi-arid zone