Physical characterization of Rhipsalis (Cactaceae) fruits and seeds germination in different temperatures and light regimes.

A B Lone,B L G Andrade,R T Faria,L S A Takahashi,R C Colombo

doi:10.1590/1519-6984.15914

A B Lone, B L G Andrade + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.15914

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Abstract

The germination characteristics of the native cactus species are poorly known, being the temperature and the light the factors that the most interferes in that process. Thus, the objective of the present work was to characterize the fruits and evaluate the influence of the temperature and the light in the seed germination of Rhipsalis floccosa, Rhipsalis pilocarpa and Rhipsalis teres. The tested constant temperatures were 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C and the alternate of 20-30 °C and 25-35 °C in a photoperiod of 10 hours, and with determination of the most appropriate temperature, the germination was tested in light absence. The germination percentage, the index of germination speed and medium time of germination were evaluated. For R. floccosa, the highest germination percentage was at 20 °C. For R. pilocarpa and R. teres, the highest germination percentages occurred in 15 °C and 20 °C. There was correlation to germination percentage between the three species, indicating that they had similar germination behavior. Total absence of germination was verified for the three species in condition of light absence. In conclusion, the temperature of 20 °C is the most suitable for the seed germination of R. floccosa. For the species R. pilocarpa and R. teres, the temperatures of 15 and 20 °C are the most suitable.

Highlights

The genus Rhipsalis is consisted of epiphytes or rupicola cacti, with cylindrical or flattened phylloclade that can reach more than two meters long
That order is maintained for the number of seeds per fruit and weight of 100 seeds, where, in the latter, there is only a small difference between R. pilocarpa and R. floccosa
It can be affirmed that the temperature of 30 °C is limiting for the germination of R. teres, considering that at this temperature and above it (35 °C) there was not germination (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

The genus Rhipsalis is consisted of epiphytes or rupicola cacti, with cylindrical or flattened phylloclade that can reach more than two meters long. The species Rhipsalis floccosa occurs in the south and southeast of Brazil, in the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito. Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul, from the Atlantic coast to seasonal forests and can be found at up to 1,800 meters (Barthlott and Taylor, 1995). Rhipsalis pilocarpa are found from the Atlantic Forest in the state of Paraná to the state Espírito Santo. Due to the destruction of the Atlantic Forest and the collection for its exotic beauty, this species is becoming increasingly rare to be found in their natural environment.

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