Abstract

PEREZ-GONZALEZ, Santos Bersaín et al. Seed storage and germination of Stenocereus thurberi, a cactus with optional viviparity. Bot. sci [online]. 2015, vol.93, n.2, pp.273-282. ISSN 2007-4476.  https://doi.org/10.17129/botsci.227.

The strategy of germination is central to ensure survivorship of natural populations. Storage and viability of seeds are also important features in regeneration and cropping. Both aspects of viviparous arborescent cacti of Sonoran Desert are lacking. This research focused on the germination of Stenocereus thurberi in viviparous and non-viviparous plants. Also, the effect of storage in the remaining seeds of fruits having viviparous seeds as compared with the behavior of seeds of non-viviparous plants. The response in the initiation (T_i), mean initiation time (T₅₀), and the germinative potential (GP) of seeds were analyzed with a randomized block design, four replicates in candy boxes with 50 seeds as experimental units. The results confirmed a greater velocity of germination and high tolerance to storage in seeds of fruits having viviparous seeds. Meanwhile they showed variation in the reduction of percentage of germination as compared with seeds from fruits on non-viviparous plants. The precocity of germination combined with the high tolerance to drying are outstanding and rare traits in Plant Kingdom, which favors seedlings establishment due to gain vigor before the initiation of dispersal.

Keywords : crypto-viviparity; germinative potential; precocious germination; seed storage.

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