Germinación de Chiranthodendron pentadactylon Larr. (Sterculiaceae), en respuesta a la escarificación, temperatura y luz

Seed quality and seed germination with scarification and non scarification and variable temperature and light were determined in Ch. pentadactylon seeds form two places of Guerrero and Oaxaca. Also seed viability was determined in seeds from Guerrero stored 6 months at 5º C. Seeds showed to be orthodox and dormant due to an impervious seed coat. The seeds from Guerrero had higher weight, length and water content than those from Oaxaca, however the scarified seeds from Oaxaca reached a higher germination percentages. Germination of scarified seeds of the two populations was enhanced by alternated temperatures and inhibited by far red light. Germination under darkness, red light and white light did not differ significantly. In soil some seeds could be dormant under a low ratio red:far red light transmitted by litter. The differences between the two populations might be due to a maternal effect induced by weather conditions in their geographic localities.