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Temperature and mechanical scarification on seed germination of 'maguey' (Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck)

Abstract:

Seed germination of Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck ('maguey') was evaluated. Rates of imbibition and germination at temperatures between seven and 38°C and the effect of thermoperiod, mechanical scarification and accelerated imbibition on germination and imbibition rates were evaluated in eight Mexican samples of maguey. The percentage germination and the proportion of dormant seeds after 300 h at 25°C in the dark were quite variable (44-95% and 2-55%, respectively) among samples. Temperatures slightly lower than 14°C and higher than 30°C drastically inhibited germination, but transfer of seeds to 25°C after 300h at these low or high temperatures allowed germination. For all samples 25 or 26°C was the optimum for germination. Seeds were insensitive to imbibitional damage. Alternating temperature (26°C/14°C for 12/12 h) increased (by 10%). The germination of the sample from arid climate compared with those from semi-arid regions, but alternating temperatures also increased the time to the start of germination and to reach maximum germination (by between 30 and 140 h, respectively).