Preliminary results in cold storage with seeds of coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi), roble (Nothofagus obliqua) and rauli (Nothofagus alpina)

Abstract

Many species have two or more very low seed production year. With the purpose of continuosly covering the needs of the nurseries with viable seeds during theses low productions periods, storage essays with some species were initiated. Results obtained with seeds of Nothofagus dombeyi, N. obliqua and N. alpina, after 6 years of storage are presented in this paper. Seeds used in the experiment were collected in Valdivia and stored in a cold chamber in glass and plastic containers. Germination test were evaluated yearly in the nursery and in a germination chamber. Best results were obtained with seed storage in hermetic glass and in plastic containers. After 4, 5 and 6 years of storage high values of germination capacity and energy were obtained for the three species.