Abstract

ORTIZ MUNOZ, Eunice et al. Juglans pyriformis Liebm. seed tree selection in natural populations of Coatepec and Coacoatzintla, Veracruz. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.38, pp.43-58. ISSN 2007-1132.

A potential in situ preservation strategy for endangered species like Juglans pyriformis is to select seed trees --whereby natural regeneration is ensured--, collect seeds from known, reliable sources for the establishment of preservation plantations, and maintain the structure of the forest. With the purpose of selecting J. pyriformis seed trees in scattered areas of the Montane Cloud Forest in Coatepec and Coacoatzintla, Veracruz, a non-probabilistic quota sampling procedure was carried out in order to determine the phenotypic and dasometric characteristics of 20 trees per population. 48 fruits were collected from each, and the seeds were collected and germinated in a greenhouse under a totally random block experimental design of 12 seeds per block. The number of seeds germinated per tree was recorded during 133 days. The height and the root neck diameter were measured in the seedlings, and the dry weight was estimated, using Dickson’s index, in order to assess their quality. Based on the classification of the trees, the germinative vigor of the seeds and the quality of the seedlings, the individuals were classified into two categories. Category I grouped specimens with outstanding phenotypic and dasometric characteristics and high values for seed and seedling quality. Category II included trees with lower values than those of I. Nine seed trees of Category I and eleven of Category II were identified in Coatepec. Two seed trees belonging to Category I, and eighteen of Category II were identified in Coacoatzintla.

Keywords : Plant quality; seed quality; dasometric characterization; phenotypic characterization; Dickson’s index; germinative vigor.