Propagation and Seedling Cultivation of the Endemic Species Nothofagus alessandrii Espinosa in Central Chile

Abstract

Nothofagus alessandrii is an endemic and endangered species from the Maule Region of Central Chile. The forests it once dominated have been severely degraded and fragmented by human activities, and it is estimated that only 350 ha remain. Yet, available information for propagation and nursery plant cultivation of this species is conspicuously lacking. Future efforts to restore this ecosystem type will rely, in large part, on advancing the capacity to propagate and cultivate this highly threatened species. To this end, we studied the response (germination process and nursery growth) of viable seeds of N. alessandrii to different pre-germination treatments, sowing times, and slow-release fertilizer. The highest germination percentages were obtained with cold stratification for periods of 30 and 45 days (84.9 and 82.6%, respectively). Sowing time was also relevant, with seeds obtaining highest germination rates (53%) when sowing during spring season (September) as well as the best growth rates. Both cold stratification and GA 3 treatments can provide adequate germination percentage and similar seedling quality. After one nursery season, no clear effect of slow-release fertilizer on plant growth was observed. The results of this study provide important baseline information for propagation and nursery techniques for restoration programs of N. alessandrii.

Effects of shading and slow release fertilizer on early growth of Nothofagus leonii seedlings from its northernmost distribution in Central Chile

“…(raulí) plant quality. The values obtained in this study are comparable to those obtained by Santelices et al (2011b), where Dickson index values for N. alessandri vary from 0.12 to 0.47 depending on factors such as fertilization rate, sowing time, and pregermination treatments. Specific leaf area was larger with increasing shade level, consistent with Santelices et al (2012), who obtained values between 177 and 200 cm 2 g -1 (with 50 and 80 % shade, respectively) in a N. alessandrii plantation.…”

“…All three fertilizer doses analyzed in this study give an adequate amount of nitrogen to be incorporated into the chlorophyll a production; however, 6 g L -1 could be a suitable dose in N. leonii and other Chilean fagaceae, such as N. alessandrii (Santelices et al 2011b), since fluorescence decreases. This could imply an increase in the photosynthetic efficiency.…”

Efecto de la cobertura y de la fertilización en el desarrollo de plantas de Nothofagus alessandrii cultivadas en contenedor

“…El nulo efecto de las diferentes dosis de fertilizante concuerda con lo señalado por Santelices et al (2009b) para esta misma especie. No obstante, los atributos de las plantas son diferentes entre los dos ensayos, lo que podría estar explicado por dos factores: la época de siembra y las condiciones ambientales entre ambos ensayos fueron diferentes.…”

Effect of four levels of shade on survival, morphology and chlorophyll fluorescence of Nothofagus alessandrii container-grown seedlings

“…However, in Chile, local authorities are still in the process of policy formulation, and there is no national recovering policy for the species. Besides, little information is available about the seedling cultivation of N. alessandrii (Santelices et al 2011a(Santelices et al , 2011b.It is recognized that seedlings of this species grow under the protection of adult trees and shaded by the understory. Shading is an important cultural practice for seedling quality and survival, especially for seedlings to be established in Mediterranean climate regions (Vázquez de Castro et al 2014).…”

“…Besides, little information is available about the seedling cultivation of N. alessandrii (Santelices et al 2011a(Santelices et al , 2011b.…”