Copper stress affect seed germination and seedling establishment of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi

ABSTRACT Pollution by the discharge of copper in the environment due to anthropogenic, industrial, and automobile activities is an environmental problem. Copper is also widely used in different forms as fertilizers and fungicides. Here, we aimed to evaluate seed germination and the establishment of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi, popularly known as ‘Brazilian pepper tree’ seedlings submitted to different concentrations of copper. Five treatments were used, with four replicates and 20 seeds per replicate, totaling 400 seeds. Cu (CuSO4.5H2O) was added to the substrate at doses of 0; 60; 760; 2,100 or 10,000 mg kg-1. The variables percentage, speed, and mean germination time, as well as establishment of seedlings, were analyzed. Cu doses of 2,100 or 10,000 mg kg-1 inhibited seedling formation. Cu concentration of 10,000 mg kg-1 reduced the final values of germination and speed germination to about one third of those obtained in the control treatment. Compared to germination, establishment of seedlings was more affected by excess copper for the S. terebinthifolia. The species tolerated doses up to 760 mg kg-1 copper during seedling establishment, which indicates that it is a candidate for environmental restoration programs for soils with known copper contamination.