Seed germination and seedling emergence of Kielmeyera coriacea: a critical analysis of the use of correlationKielmeyera coriacea is the most important cork supplying species of the Brazilian Savannah but it shows a high degree of individual polymorphism which can affect seed germination tests and seedling emergence. The objectives of this study were to correlate seed germination characteristics with seedling emergence and quantify the impact of individual variability in the correlation and significance tests. A randomized block design was used in the germination and emergence tests with seven treatments corresponding to the individuals and three plot replications with 32 seeds each. Two distinct evaluation criteria were adopted: radicle protrusion in the germination test and a normal seedlings in the emergence test. K. coriacea individuals presented high germination and emergence capacities, with a high degree of uncertainty, low synchronization and spread in relation to average time, although in both tests the individuals showed a distinct classification with regards to these characteristics. The correlations between germination and emergence measurements with original data and with residuals were different, showing that the individual's intrinsic variability interferes with the measurement result. The significance associated with the correlation only indicated that the value found is not zero and, therefore, cannot be interpreted as being important in the association among the species characteristics.
Kielmeyera coriacea, Mart.; significance; residuals; intra-specific variability
