Resumen

QUINTO, L.; MARTINEZ-HERNANDEZ, P. A.; PIMENTEL-BRIBIESCA, L.  y  RODRIGUEZ-TREJO, D. A.. Alternatives to improve seed germination in three tropical trees. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2009, vol.15, n.1, pp.23-28. ISSN 2007-4018.

The present study was conducted to determine seed germination in mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King), Mexican or Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata L.) and rosy trumpet tree (Tabebuia rosea (Bertol) DC.) with the use coconut (Cocos nucifera L) water and when seed is exposed to high temperature. Two trials were done, one with five treatments: coconut water from young, mature and dry coconut, distilled water and control; in the other seed germination was compared among trees when environmental temperature was 28/24 ^°C (day/night) and 12 h light. Seed germination in all three species improved (P<0.05) from two to 10 times in relation to control but it was similar (P>0.05) to the one found with distilled water. Seed germination was improved only with coconut water from young coconut. At 28/24 °C (day/night) and 12 h light, mahogany, showed seed germination 1.4 and 2 times higher (P<0.05) than cedar and rosy trumpet tree, respectively. Seed germination tended to be higher in the trial at higher environmental temperature than at room temperature (coconut water trial). It was concluded that coconut water might improve seed germination in mahogany, cedar and rosy trumpet tree if coconut is young and that mahogany seed shows high germination at high environmental temperature.

Palabras llave : coconut water; pregerminatives treatments; mahogany; rosy trumpet tree; Mexican or Spanish cedar.