Recalcitrant seeds are intolerant to both desiccation and low temperatures, the most important mechanisms of seed conservation, consequently their storage is difficult. Inga vera subsp. affinis produces the so-called recalcitrant seeds, since they do not survive to water content lower than 35%. In this work it is demonstrated that these seeds are tolerant to temperatures as low as -2 ºC. Embryos of I. vera of different stages of maturity were stored at temperatures varying from 8 to -18 ºC for until 45 days. Non-dried embryos and both dried to -4 MPa and -6 MPa were stored. Results showed that, despite all embryos died at -18 ºC, some cold tolerance was obtained by mature embryos when stored at -2 ºC, as long as they are dried to -4 MPa.
freezing; recalcitrant; seed germination; storability; tropical tree
