ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS IN Peltophorum dubium (Sprengel) Taubert SEEDS AFTER OVERCOMING DORMANCY TREATMENTS WITH WATER IN DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

This study aimed to evaluate the physiological behavior, the antioxidant enzymes activity and the lipoperoxide levels in Peltophorum dubium (Sprengel) Taubert seeds when submitted to different immersion times and water temperatures to overcome physical dormancy. P. dubium seeds were submitted to treatments with heated water (25, 50, 75 e 95°C) during 24h, with and without previous scarification, in order to overcome dormancy. Seed physiology, electrical conductivity and germination (percentage, average time, frequency and synchrony) were analyzed. The enzymes catalase and peroxidase were quantified after 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24h of imbibition. It is concluded that the best methods for overcoming seed dormancy in P. dubium were the treatments using water at 75 and 95°C because, due to the efficient action of the enzymes catalase and peroxidase, the levels of lipid peroxidation were controlled, allowing the seeds to achieve high germination and coefficient of velocity of germination.