Optimum germinative conditions of a multipurpose shrub from Patagonia: Prosopis alpataco (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Several factors limit the native plants production. The aim of this study was to optimize the germination of Prosopis alpataco f. alpataco from northeastern Patagonia, Argentina. This is a key species of the Monte, one of the most threatened South American ecoregions. Seeds were incubated in chamber at 25 - 45 ºC in darkness for 7 days, evaluating eight germinative parameters. Chemical scarification with H₂SO₄ (2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min) and mechanical scarification (by partial and total cutting of the seminal cover edge) were tested. The best results (100 % germinative capacity reached in one day) were recorded at 30 ºC (optimum germination temperature) in seeds scarified with H₂SO₄ (during 30 min) and with total cutting of the seminal cover edge. The use of H₂SO₄ is recommended for mass propagation and the total cutting of the seminal cover edge for small-scale production. It can be concluded that P. alpataco f. alpataco from northeastern Patagonia had a higher germinative response after an exposure to a range of relatively simple chemical or mechanical treatments. The techniques achieved here provide valuable information for conservation and production of plants of this species. This work represents the first optimum germinative conditions of P. alpataco f. alpataco from northeastern Patagonia. Its results open new lines for future research of other austral Prosopis species.