Abstract

PAVON, Numa P.; BALLATO-SANTOS, Jesús  and  PEREZ-PEREZ, Claudia. Seed germination and seedlings establishment of Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae). Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2011, vol.82, n.2, pp.653-661. ISSN 2007-8706.

Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera, spiny drought-deciduous shrub has the potential to be used in restoration projects in degraded semi-arid areas of México. However, basic information that supports this does not exist. The objective of the study was to evaluate the germination conditions and establishment of this species. Germination experiments were realized using 3 factors (scarification, light and temperature). Also, seeds predation for bruquids was registered. We evaluated the effect of light and soil nitrogen on the establishment, for this we considered survival, growth and root nodulation of the shrub seedling. Scarification and temperature were significant dormancy-breaking factors. Seeds were not photoblastics and germinative parameters indicated that to 30^o C the better results were obtained. Seeds damaged by bruquids not germinate; the infestation was 26.8 % and 4 bruquids species were determined. On high brightness conditions, the highest seedling survival and root growth was registered. The nitrogen fertilization of soil had a significant negative effect on survival and growth of the shrub seedling. These results support the recommendation to use M. aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera in the restoration projects in degraded semi-arid areas in México.

Keywords : bruquids; soil fertilization; leguminous plant; seedlings; restoration; xerophilous shrubland.

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