Caracterización de dormancia y estrategias para promover germinación en especies del género Schizanthus
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Date
2023
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Abstract
The genus Schizanthus (Solanaceae) includes 14 annual and biennial species, mostly endemic to Chile, commonly known as “maripositas”. This genus exhibits a variety of colorful flowers, giving it great ornamental potential for cultivation. However, the seeds of this genus show low germination rates, indicating a possible dormancy that hinders their commercial production. The objective of this study was to determine the dormancy mechanisms and implement strategies for efficient seed propagation in Schizanthus porrigens, S. carlomunozii, and S. hookeri. Morpho-anatomical analysis indicated the presence of a thin seed coat, oily endosperm, and a curved embryo for all three species. Imbibition with gibberellic acid (GA3, 200 ppm) proved to be the most effective treatment in promoting germination, both in laboratory and nursery conditions. Imbibition in potassium nitrate (KNO3 at 0.3%) increased germination only in S. hookeri and, to a lesser extent, in S. porrigens. The seeds of S. hookeri show an increased response to GA3 as the storage time increases; however, they do not germinate in the absence of GA3. Seeds treated for 24 hours in solutions of GA3, KNO3, and distilled water showed similar seedling heights at transplanting. Nevertheless, soaking the seeds for 48 hours in GA3 resulted in more etiolated seedlings. The seeds of the three studied Schizanthus species exhibit an intermediate physiological dormancy that can be broken by GA3 without negatively affecting their quality at the time of transplanting under nursery conditions.
Description
Tesis (Magister en Fisiología y Producción Vegetal)--Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2023.
Keywords
Physiological dormancy, Giberelic acid, After-ripening, Ornamental crop