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Home Native Plant Network Journal Articles Preliminary study shows germination of Caribbean applecactus (Harrisia fragrans) improved with acid scarification and gibberellic acid

Native Plants Journal - Article

Preliminary study shows germination of Caribbean applecactus (Harrisia fragrans) improved with acid scarification and gibberellic acid

Abstract:

To determine germination rate and final germination percentage
of the endangered Florida endemic Caribbean applecactus (Harrisia
fragrans
Small [Cactaceae]), we treated seeds with sulfuric
and gibberellic (GA3) acids and germinated them under constant
temperature regimes.Temperature effect was marginal at best,
with only 2% of seed germinating in 50 d in 25 øthough there
was improved germination with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) alone, significant
increases in both germination rate and germination percentage
were realized when seeds were scarified with 18 M
H2SO4 for 15, 30, and 45 s, followed by soaking in 1000 ppm GA3
for 24 h,with 68% germination in 120 d for the 45 s H2SO4 treatment.
Emergence first occurred on day 18 for seed treated with
1000 ppm GA3 but not until day 70 for the 500 ppm treatment.
Control seeds failed to emerge during the observation period.
These treatments represent a quick method of meeting Species
Level Recovery Actions for Harrisia fragrans in the Multi-Species
Recovery Plans for South Florida.

Issue & Pages:

Spring 2005 Pages: 91-96

Article Download:

6-1NPJ91-96.pdf (PDF document)

Authors:

  • Bijan Dehgan
  • Hector E Perez

Keywords:

sulfuric acid scarification, conservation horticulture, seed propagation, dormancy