Physical and chemical treatments in the germination of seeds of native species of the Altiplano

Abstract

The seeds of native species of the highlands: Adesmia spinosissima (ADES), Hordeum muticum (HOMU), Bromus catharticus (BROCA), Trifolium amabile (TRIAM) and Stipa regidiseta (STIRE), potentially latent, and of unknown germination, produce a variability of food for highland cattle in the highlands, but for its cultivation and management are necessary studies on seed treatments. Four physical treatments: moderate heating (T1), boiling water (T2), low extreme temperature (T3) and scarification with sandpaper (T4); and four chemical treatments: soaking in ethyl alcohol (T5), oxygenated water (T6), immersion in vinegar (T7) and washing with sponge and soap (T8), were applied in order to determine their effect on germination and other associated values: emergence (%); plant height (cm); number of leaves and root length (cm) 60 days after sowing. The data were analyzed in a completely randomized design, the means were compared by Duncan. And the groups of treatment vs. control means by orthogonal contrasts. In addition, the following were determined: germination, moisture content (%); seed quantity; purity (%) and cultural value (%) in untreated seeds. The germination averages 78, 88 and 61 % obtained with (T1), were higher than the values 53, 64 and 56 %, obtained without applying treatments, corresponding to ADES, BROCA and HOMU respectively. The highest purity 93 % correspond to: HOMU and TRIAM, and to BROCA 92 %, were higher than 77 % of ADES. All treatments, and orthogonal contrasts physical vs. chemical treatments; affected (p≤0.01) only ADES, BROCA and HOMU, but none of the control vs. treatments comparisons (p≥0.01). The high percentages of germination in the species cebadilla and cola de ratón stand out, so it is possible to cultivate them after adjusting the cultural value.