El ambiente de la semilla en el suelo: su efecto en la germinación y en la sobreviviencia de la plántula

Conservation and ecological restoration propose the use of native plants, the knowledge of their physiological and ecological traits and the proper techniques which ameliorate seedling survival in adverse conditions. Priming consists of a regulated hydration in water or osmotic solutions; this permits the improvement of some metabolic processes, but prevents germination. This treatment increased seed vigor with a rapid and uniform germination and development. These advantages induce a valuable improvement on the seed response for applied purposes in agriculture. Because the advantages obtained during priming are kept after seed d e hydration. Seeds develop a natural priming when they lie in the soil. During soil burial , molecular and physiological responses are induced and which are very similar to those mechanisms reported in priming. Burial and natural priming enhancing germination and emergence could have an ecological significance. Effects produced by natural priming probably were selected during the evolution of plants which forms soil seed banks.