Morphological characterization and germination of samandoque (Hesperaloe funifera (K. Koch) Trel.) seeds in Coahuila, Mexico

Abstract

Hesperaloe funifera (K. Koch) Trel. (Giant Hesperaloe) is a native and endemic species of North America, distributed naturally in semi-arid ecosystems in central and northern Mexico and southwest Texas in the USA. Studies on the seed morphological characterization are important to recognize these in seed banks. The objective of this research was to carry out the morphological characterization and germination of samandoque (Hesperaloe funifera (K. Koch) Trel.) seeds in Coahuila, Mexico. Mass harvest seed was carried out on 5 individuals in the botanical garden of the Saltillo Experimental Field from INIFAP. For morphological characterization, the variables were considered: seed length (LS), seed width (AS), seed thickness (ES); the three-dimensional seed shape (FTS), shape or contour (FS) and color of the seed is determined qualitatively. The morphometric analysis of H. funifera seeds did not present significant differences, which is why it is concluded that it is the same population where the variation of the evaluated variables is rare. The seeds of the samandoque presented a three-dimensional lenticular shape tending towards a flat-convex shape and black in color. On average, the length was 7.85 ±0.55 mm, width 5.92 ± 0.55 mm and thickness 1.17 ± 0.29 mm, with an average weight of 100 seeds of 4.27 ±0.286 g and 23,459 ± 1540 seeds per kilogram. The imbibition test at 0 and 24 hours was not significant, the percentages were 62 and 47, respectively. With this information obtained in this research, it will be important to carry out future tests with the germplasm such as the accelerated aging test and simultaneously tests of germination pretreatments.