
	Research Journal of Botany
	Year: 2018 \| Volume: 13 \| Issue: 1 \| Page No.: 11-18 DOI: 10.3923/rjb.2018.11.18

Germination Capacity and Seedling Survival of Moussonia deppeana (Gesneriaceae) from the Montane Cloud Forests

Alicia Enriqueta Brechu-Franco

, Yazmin Jurado-Gonzalez, Guillermo Laguna-Hernandez, Armando Gomez-Campos and Rosa Maria Fonseca-Juarez

Abstract: Background and Objective: Moussonia deppeana (Gesneriaceae) is one of the 25 species of the Moussonia genus living in montane cloud forests (MCF) and on the edges of pine-oak forests. It is used in traditional Mexican medicine. Pharmacological studies have shown its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. Because this plant is currently collected without regard to sustainable management, cultivation under controlled and standardized sanitary regulations should be recommended. Thus, this study assessed the germination capacity and short-term seedling survival of the species. Materials and Methods: Mature and dry fruits of M. deppeana were collected and photographed. A number of seeds from three fruits was calculated as well as their weight and size. Because a preliminary germination test revealed dependence of light, the germination of freshly harvested (FH) seeds and seeds stored for 15 and 13 days at 24±2°C (15S and 30S) under light was then measured. Seedlings that were approximately 1 cm in length 8 weeks after sowing were transplanted into a peat moss substrate and were incubated under controlled conditions for 21 additional weeks, when their survival was evaluated. Results: Germination in FH and 30S seeds reached approximately 80% after the 4th week. The 15S seeds showed germination close to 90% and above from the 2nd week. The seedling survival percentages were 71 and 61% in FH and 15S seeds respectively and 36% for 30S seeds. Conclusion: The abundant production of tiny seeds, more than 3,300 with 0.5 mm×0.2 mm in size and 20 μg in weight, besides high germination under light, could indicate that M. deppeana is a pioneer species, similar to other species from the Kohleria genus (Gesneriaceae). Propagation of this species in a standardized culture program would be successful under light using FH and 15S seeds owing to its high viability and vigor.

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How to cite this article:

Alicia Enriqueta Brechu-Franco, Yazmin Jurado-Gonzalez, Guillermo Laguna-Hernandez, Armando Gomez-Campos and Rosa Maria Fonseca-Juarez, 2018. Germination Capacity and Seedling Survival of Moussonia deppeana (Gesneriaceae) from the Montane Cloud Forests. Research Journal of Botany, 13: 11-18.

DOI: 10.3923/rjb.2018.11.18

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjb.2018.11.18

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