THE GERMINATION AND SEEDLING SURVIVAL OF CONDALIA-MICROPHYLLA CAV IN ARGENTINA

The objectives of this work were to determine the basic germination re quirements of Condalia microphylla, one of the dominant woody species in the semi-arid region of central Argentina, in the laboratory and to evaluate seedling emergence and survival under field conditions in 19 88 and 1989. The germination of unscarified seeds of C. microphylla wa s low. Acid scarification significantly increased (p < 0.05) germinati on in all cases; however, seeds subjected to other scarification metho ds did nor germinate. The highest germination percentage of unscarifie d and scarified seeds occurred with a daily cycle of 15h of darkness a t 20 degrees C and 9h of light at 30 degrees C. Light did not increase germination at the same temperature regime. The emergence and surviva l of C. microphylla seedlings were higher in 1989 than in 1988. In bot h study periods, the highest seedling mortality coincided with lower s oil water potential and/or higher average soil temperature. (C) 1996 A cademic Press Limited