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Propagation and Seedling Cultivation of the Endemic Species Nothofagus alessandrii Espinosa in Central Chile
Author(s) -
Santelices Rómulo,
NavarroCerrillo Rafael M.,
Drake Fernando
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-100x.2009.00550.x
Subject(s) - germination , seedling , sowing , threatened species , endangered species , biology , agronomy , stratification (seeds) , growing season , dormancy , fertilizer , horticulture , seed dormancy , ecology , habitat
Nothofagus alessandrii is an endemic and endangered species from the Maule Region of Central Chile. The forests it once dominated have been severely degraded and fragmented by human activities, and it is estimated that only 350 ha remain. Yet, available information for propagation and nursery plant cultivation of this species is conspicuously lacking. Future efforts to restore this ecosystem type will rely, in large part, on advancing the capacity to propagate and cultivate this highly threatened species. To this end, we studied the response (germination process and nursery growth) of viable seeds of N. alessandrii to different pre‐germination treatments, sowing times, and slow‐release fertilizer. The highest germination percentages were obtained with cold stratification for periods of 30 and 45 days (84.9 and 82.6%, respectively). Sowing time was also relevant, with seeds obtaining highest germination rates (53%) when sowing during spring season (September) as well as the best growth rates. Both cold stratification and GA 3 treatments can provide adequate germination percentage and similar seedling quality. After one nursery season, no clear effect of slow‐release fertilizer on plant growth was observed. The results of this study provide important baseline information for propagation and nursery techniques for restoration programs of N. alessandrii .