Forest species with economic potential, such as aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi.), require selection of individuals with superior characteristics for use in forest restoration projects and for establishment of commercial plantations. These plantations can contribute to the sustainability of natural populations of species in the remaining forest fragments, in areas of permanent preservation, legal reserves or other areas of ecological significance. It was evaluated the fruits' yield, morphometry and viability of seeds from 15 individuals of aroeira, collected in different fragments in the region of Lower São Francisco river, Sergipe State. The fruit yield was estimated by Fornier's intensity index, and the morphometric characteristics were obtained with a digital paquimeter and analytical balance. The viability and vigor were evaluated by germination percentage and germination speed index (GSI), under controlled conditions. The results of fruit yield were subjected to variance analysis, and the means were compared by Tukey (p <0.05). The other variables means were compared by Scott-Knott test (p<0.05). The individuals differed in Fournier's indices (indices 1, 2, 3 and 4) and in the size of fruits and seeds. The germination varied from 0 to 83% and the GSI from 0.00 to 0.98. The phenotypic differences observed among individuals for fruit yield, and morphophysiological characteristics can be used in forest restoration and establishment of provenances/progenies tests, aiming discrimination of superior material for future commercial plantations.
Aroeira; Morphometry; Seeds viability
