Nothofagus alessandrii (ruil) is an endangered relict species, endemic to the Mediterranean area of Chile, and one of the most threatened trees in the country. Its natural distribution area has been greatly reduced by the effect of human activities; the remaining fragments are mostly intervened and highly deteriorated as a habitat and refuge for the associated biodiversity. In order to produce healthy and resistant nursery plants for recovery and restoration of N. alessandrii forests, this study evaluates the early effects of mycorrhizal fungal inoculum (MFI) combined with fertilization on the cultivation of seedlings. The experiment was established under a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of the mycorrhizal factors (M0 = without mycorrhizal, M1 = Thelephora sp. and M2 = Hebeloma sp.) and fertilization (F1 = standard fertilization and F2 = intensive fertilization), with three replicates of each combination, for each type of plant (P1 = plants from one season and P2 = plants from two seasons). Each experimental unit corresponded to a group of 20 plants, with 720 plants in the test. The results indicate that application of fertilizer and MFI significantly affects some growth and photosynthesis parameters of ruil plants in one and two seasons. The morphological parameters obtained in the study show shoot height values ranging between 67 and 91 cm for P1 and between 96 and 111 cm for P2; while, for shoot diameter, values ranged between 7.91 and 8.24 mm for P1 and between 10.91 and 11.49 mm for P2. Although formation of fully developed mycorrhizal roots was not observed during the assay period, we conclude that inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi combined with fertilization could be an efficient strategy to produce a quality plant, in addition to maintaining a high photosynthetic capacity and, therefore, a higher percentage of survival in the field.

Sclerophyll forest in Mediterranean central Chile has been subjected to severe degradation due to anthropic disturbances and climate change and is in need of restoration. Since direct seeding is usually unsuccessful, we need to research seed propagation to produce plants for restoration. Our objective was to assess pre-germination treatments for six native woody species (Acacia caven, Lithraea caustica, Quillaja Saponaria, Porlieria chilensis, Kageneckia angustifolia, and Ceratonia chilensis) of the sclerophyll forest, considering its operational applicability and consequences for nursery plant production. Treatments were selected according to previous studies, and operational applicability in nurseries. Germination and level of seeds water imbibition were assessed. Results indicate that time for seed water imbibition is critical for germination in A. caven, P. chilensis and K. angustifolia, with an average germination of 90.2 ± 2.0%, 85.0 ± 4.7%, and 47.4 ± 2.3%, respectively. Gibberellin did not improve germination compared to water soaking in Q. Saponaria, K. angustifolia and P. chilensis. In addition, physical scarification is a suitable treatment for L. caustica and C. chilensis, instead of chemical scarification, avoiding handling toxic and corrosive compounds in nurseries. We recommend assessing seed water imbibition rates as a key factor for proper germination processes.