The aim of this study was to investigate the gabiroba seed behaviour regarding the harvesting point, storage and their implications in germination. For characterization and harvest point, fruits of seven plants were evaluated for diameter, peel, pulp and seed fresh matter, number of seeds per fruit, Brix degrees of pulp corrected to 20(0)C and extracted seed germination, with mucilage. The storage study was made up of three experiments. In the first experiment the following treatments were compared with fresh seeds: immediately after the mucilage removal, a second one stored in glass jars at 25(0)C, another at 8(0)C and the last in paper bag at 25(0)C and 60%RH, during 30 days. The second experiment (resistance to desiccation) was done by germinating seeds left at 25(0)C and 60%RH during five days, and moisture determination considering fresh seeds as control. For the third experiment, the fruits were stored for 20 days as follows: at room temperature (25(0)C) in a ceramic bowl covered by a nylon mesh; in polyethylene bags at 8ºC and at -18ºC. Fresh seeds, from non-stored fruits, were used as control. Treatments were evaluated by germination (25(0)C), germination speed index (IVG) and moisture determination. It was concluded that the fruit harvest point might be determined by the Brix degrees of the pulp and it was indicated that fruit would be harvested with at least 15,75(0) to obtain 95% of germination. Campomanesia adamantium seed behaviour showed that the species must be classified as recalcitrant, either by not supporting storage or by not tolerating desiccation. The storage in tightly closed glass jars at (25(0)C) maintained the germination at 60%, for 30 days. However, sowing the seeds, immediately after the extraction from the fruits gave germination indexes of at least 74%.
cerrado fruit; seed conservation; physiological quality
