Abstract

VILLAVICENCIO-GUTIERREZ, Eulalia Edith et al. Seed Germination in Agave potatorum Zucc. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2024, vol.15, n.86, pp.31-51.  Epub Mar 03, 2025. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v15i86.1403.

The study of seeds includes tests that allow characterizing and defining the suitability of germplasm to conserve or propagate species. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different pre-germination treatments on the germination rate of Agave potatorum. A completely randomized design with a 5×3×2 fixed-effect factorial arrangement was utilized; five pre-germination treatments were assessed: T1: 500 ppm gibberellic acid (AG3); T2: 1 000 ppm AG3; T3: 50 % inoculation of mycorrhizae (23 spores gram-1) (Glomus intraradices); T4: 100 % mycorrhizae (46 spores gram-1) and T5: Control (distilled water), applied in three seed sizes (small, medium and large) and two dates of monitoring: D1=10 and D2=15 days; the assessed variable was germination rate (GR, %). Tukey tests (α=0.05) were applied when statistical differences between factors, levels, and interactions were obtained. The results indicated that germination of A. potatorum differs statistically between dates (p=0.0004) and treatments (p=0.0005), but not between seed sizes (p=0.3335). The application of 500 ppm AG3 registered a GR of 75 %. This pre-germination treatment speeds germination, improves seedling production, and maximizes the potential of the seed lot. Ex situ conservation is essential to promote sustainable use and revalue the potential of germplasm, both in its ecological and productive functions.

Keywords : Gibberellic acid; Agavoideae; Asparagaceae; germination; Tobalá agave; mycorrhizae.

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