Seed and Soil Provenance in the Production and Survival of Melanoxylon brauna Seedlings

Melanoxylon brauna Schott, popularly known as braúna, is classified as endangered, mainly due to indiscriminate exploitation driven by its desirable wood characteristics. Seed propagation faces limitations associated with the difficulty of obtaining viable seeds and high seedling mortality in nurseries during large-scale production. This study aimed to evaluate the survival, morphophysiological, and biochemical growth of M. brauna seedlings from seeds collected in two locations and grown under different soil and substrate combinations. Soils collected near parent trees of M. brauna (100%) promoted the highest seedling survival rates, with 97.5% for treatments 3 and 10, respectively, and showed superior seedling quality index, regardless of seed origin. These soils also contained the highest number of fungal spores and three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species: Glomus macrocarpum Tul. & Tul., Sclerocystis spp., and Gigaspora spp. The results demonstrate that soils from areas near parent trees are the most suitable for seedling production, independent of the site of soil or seed collection. Furthermore, the natural presence of AMF in these soils plays a crucial role in improving survival and quality, reinforcing their importance in establishing efficient strategies for the conservation and propagation of this endangered species.