Biometria de frutos e sementes de Melanoxylon brauna Schott. (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae)

Abstract

The aims were to study the physical and biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds of Melanoxylon brauna, estimate and establish the correlation between variables. The ripe fruits of Melanoxylon brauna were collected in five trees. It was measured the length (CF), the width (LF) and the thickness (EF) of the fruits at both ends and one in the middle part. It was quantified the mass of fresh (MMF) and dry matter (MMS), the number of membranous structures (MS / F) and empty membranous structures per fruit (EMV / F). The seeds were classified as normal (SN), damaged by insects (SDI) and malformed (SMF). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, statistical distributions of adjustment, correlation analysis and regression analysis. Function-Weibull probability density was adjusted to the characteristics of the fruits and seeds. The biometric characteristics of the seeds vary less than those of fruits. There were significant positive correlations between the length of the fruit and the membranous structures per fruit, the fresh weight of fruit and the membranous structures in the fruit and between the fresh mass and the number of normal seeds. In addition, it was found correlation between the length of the fruit with the normal number of seeds per fruit. The width of the fruit with membranous structures in the fruit and seeds per fruit were malformed and presented significant negative correlations.