RESUMO: A técnica de produção de mudas para revegetação visa propiciar o melhor crescimento em um tempo mínimo, de forma a permitir bons níveis de sobrevivência e crescimento após o transplantio para o ambiente definitivo. Dentre as condições de cultivo, há o interesse em se obter os níveis de sombreamento que propiciem o melhor crescimento. Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar o crescimento de plantas jovens de Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (sabiá) submetidas a sombreamento, no semiárido nordestino. Foram testados quatro tipos de tela de sombreamento (0, 30, 50 e 70%). Foi avaliado o comprimento da parte aérea, o diâmetro do coleto, a massa seca do caule, das folhas, da planta, e a área foliar. Foi calculada a razão de área foliar, a área foliar específica, a taxa de crescimento absoluto, a taxa de crescimento relativo e a taxa assimilatória líquida. Os níveis de sombreamento afetaram o crescimento M. caesalpinifolia, com os melhores indicadores de crescimento observados nas mudas mantidas em ambiente sob sombrite 50%, o que proporcionou aumento em altura, área foliar e massa seca das plantas, quando comparado ao tratamento a pleno sol. | ABSTRACT: Seedling production for reforestation aims to achieve the best plant growth in a minimal amount of time, to provide good survival and growth levels after transplantation. During cultivation, it is necessary to know the shading levels that lead to the best growth. The objective of this study was to assess the growth of young Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. plants provided with various amounts of shade in the northeast semi-arid region of Brazil. Four types of shade cloth were tested (0, 30, 50 and 70%). Shoot length, stem diameter, stem dry matter, leaf dry matter, total dry matter and leaf area were assessed. Leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, absolute growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate were also calculated. The different shading levels affected M. caesalpinifolia growth, with the best growth indicators observed in plants grown under 50% shade, with increases in plant height, leaf area and total dry matter observed compared to the full sun condition.

ABSTRACT Cordia oncocalyx Allemão Baill., widely known as “pau-branco”, is a native species from the Caatinga (Brazilian Savannah) and has socioeconomic and environmental potential; however, there are few silvicultural studies on this species. Therefore, this paper aimed to analyze and compare the biometric characteristics of diaspores and seeds through manual biometrics and by digital image processing, and to evaluate the in vitro and ex vitro germination of C. oncocalyx. In the biometrics evaluation, three hundred diaspores and three hundred seeds were used, applying manual and digital biometrics. Subsequently, ex vitro emergence was determined, testing mechanical scarification (in different regions of the diaspore) and chemical scarification (immersion in sulfuric acid for 90 min and 180 min). Finally, in vitro germination was tested with different compositions of Murashige & Skoog (M&S) culture medium and sucrose addition. Results showed that digital image processing is a viable and fast technique to obtain the biometric parameters of C. oncocalyx fruit and seeds. Chemical and mechanical treatments on diaspores have not influenced seed emergence (0.33%). The composition of the culture medium has influenced the germination percentage, and the maximum value of 96% % was obtained with 6 g/L of sucrose and 0.90 g/L of M&S medium. Thus, the seminiferous propagation of C. oncocalyx can be performed successfully when the seeds are germinated in vitro, and the digital image processing shows the solidity and applicability aiming to evaluate the quantitative parameters of seed and fruit of this species.