GERMINATION AND VIGOR OF CAGAITA (Eugenia dysenterica MART. ex DC.) SEEDS AS AFFECTED BY SEED SIZE AND HARVEST TYPE

"Cagaita" is a native species of "Cerrado" savannah, with very irregular seed germination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of harvest type and seed size on the germination rate and vigor of Cagaita seeds. The experiment was carried out in a 2 x 3 factorial completely randomized design with six treatments: two harvest types (from the tree and on the ground) and three seed sizes (large, medium, small). Germination started fourteen days after planting and ended in the 60th day. The germination and seedling early growth were described and illustrated by drawings. Large seeds harvest on the ground present lower humidity, greater seedling vigor, and higher fresh matter. There were not found significant differences for germination rate treatments. It was concluded that Cagaita seeds should be obtained from ripe fruits on the ground. Large seeds from those fruits showed to be more vigorous. In seedling production and germination tests the separation of seeds by size may be applied for obtention of seed lots with uniform vigor. KEY-WORDS: Seed, seedling; vigor; morphology; savannah.