Seed germination of Opuntia dejecta, a non-desert cactus native to Central America

Authors

  • Rubelsi Matus Facultad de Biología, Universidad Veracruzana; Circuito Aguirre Beltrán S/N; C.P. 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
  • Yareni Perroni Instituto de Biotecnología y Ecología Aplicada, Universidad Veracruzana; Av. de las Culturas Veracruzanas No. 101 Col. Emiliano Zapata C.P. 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
  • Miguel Virgen Instituto de Ecología A.C.; Apartado Postal 63, 91000, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
  • Joel Flores División de Ciencias Ambientales-IPICYT; Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4ª. Sección, C.P. 78216, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México.
  • José Antonio Miranda-Jácome Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana; Avenida Dr. Luis Castelazo Ayala S/N, Col. Industrial Ánimas, C.P. 91190 Xalapa, Veracruz, México. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6769-3858

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56890/jpacd.v24i.488

Keywords:

Cactaceae, Mexican trans-volcanic strip, Tropical cactus, Partial transplant experiment, Tropical dry forest

Abstract

Opuntia species from arid and semiarid environments have dormant seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the soil influences seed germination of the cactus O. dejecta. We hypothesized that O. dejecta seeds in the basaltic rocky soil will show lower seed germination than seeds in a site with alluvial soil from the coastal plain. An experiment of partial reciprocal transplant was performed, placing seeds from basaltic soil (San Ignacio population) in pots containing alluvial soil from Puente Nacional population and in slabs from basaltic soil, and placing them on two greenhouses, in San Ignacio population and Puente Nacional population. We found that seed germination (%) was lower in San Ignacio site (with basaltic soil) than in Puente Nacional site (with alluvial soil), and that alluvial soil showed higher seed germination than basaltic soil, as well as higher seed germination in Puente Nacional than in San Ignacio. The results suggest that seed dormancy for the population situated in the rocky condition is a trait locally adapted, and the basaltic soil can be considered as a selection factor.

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Published

21-02-2022

Issue

Section

Scientific Papers