Morphological structure, germination and vigor of Juglans jamaicensis c. dc. seeds in the Turquino National Park

Abstract

Seven groups of Juglans jamaicensis trees were selected in Turquino National Park to determine the morphological structure, germination power and vigor of Juglans jamaicensis seeds. To do this, the seeds were collected from the soil and subjected to pregerminative treatment, then 900 of them were placed in the germinator under a completely randomized design. The morphology of the seeds was evaluated from the parameters length of the major axis, diameter, weight and volume of the seed. The germination control started from the seventh day to 90 days. Germination capacity, germination dynamics, and seed vigor were determined through germination speed and Czabator indices. The morphological variation of seeds in relation to progenitor trees and sites, as well as the effect of parental origin on germination, germination dynamics and seed vigor was checked by means of a simple classification ANOVA, and the HSD-Tukey test. The structure of Juglans jamaicensis seeds is an adaptation of trees to the environment in which they develop in response to environmental variation and the establishment of Juglans jamaicensis regenerants in natural conditions, it is determined by high germination potential (73±16%), low germination speed (0.40±0.1) and vigor (0.38±0.3) as well as offspring anomalies, which are key elements leading to a potential decrease in the abundance of seedlings in the forest.