Tropical Native Species Reforestation Information Clearinghouse (TRIC)

Resource Details

Seed germination of Loxopterygium guasango, a threatened tree of coastal Northwestern South America

Agrawal, A.A. 1996, "Seed germination of Loxopterygium guasango, a threatened tree of coastal Northwestern South America.", Tropical Ecology, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 273-276.

Species Info

• Loxopterygium guasango

Description

• In this article, the authors describe the natural history and germination methods of a native tree to Ecuador, Loxopterygium guasango, used in reforestation.
• This species provides durable timber, but (as of 1993) is in danger of extinction in Ecuador. In 1994, 1260 seeds were collected and planted after the following treatments: hot water, soaked, hot water and soaked, no light, baked, and control.
• The authors found very low germination rates for all treatments, with the highest being 13% germination in the hot water treatment.
• They attribute this lack of success to infestation of seed predators and fungus, inappropriate germination conditions, and inviability.
• They found from dissections of seeds that only 20% were considered alive, while 80% were dead.
• Therefore, of the seeds that were viable (alive), 65% germinated when treated with hot water.
• The authors suggest that because the species can be easily propagated vegetatively, the stands may have low genetic diversity that could lead to seed abortion.

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