Influence of seed tree and seed crop epoch on the germination capacity of Fitzroya cupressoides in the nursery

Abstract

Identification of seed trees of Fitzroya cupressoides and seed collections were carried out in the Coastal Mountains of Valdivia. Germination tests ad plant production of F. cupressoides in nursery were tried with the seeds collected from different trees in different months. Results show great variability in number of seeds per kilogram and in seed viability, and a high percentage (47%) of trees with unviable seeds. To obtain good results in nursery plant production of Fitzroya cupressoides the following steps are recommended:
1. To identify good seed trees.
2. To determine the trees and months of high viability percentages through the cutting test.
3. To submit the seeds of marked trees located below 750 m of altitude to 60 days of cold stratification and 75 days to those above 750 m altitude.
Germination capacities in the nursery varied between 0 and 37.5% for the different trees. Mortality after the first vegetative period reached an average of 17.35%.