Nothofagus alessandrii is an endemic and endangered species from the Maule Region of Central Chile. The forests it once dominated have been severely degraded and fragmented by human activities, and it is estimated that only 350 ha remain. Yet, available information for propagation and nursery plant cultivation of this species is conspicuously lacking. Future efforts to restore this ecosystem type will rely, in large part, on advancing the capacity to propagate and cultivate this highly threatened species. To this end, we studied the response (germination process and nursery growth) of viable seeds of N. alessandrii to different pre-germination treatments, sowing times, and slow-release fertilizer. The highest germination percentages were obtained with cold stratification for periods of 30 and 45 days (84.9 and 82.6%, respectively). Sowing time was also relevant, with seeds obtaining highest germination rates (53%) when sowing during spring season (September) as well as the best growth rates. Both cold stratification and GA 3 treatments can provide adequate germination percentage and similar seedling quality. After one nursery season, no clear effect of slow-release fertilizer on plant growth was observed. The results of this study provide important baseline information for propagation and nursery techniques for restoration programs of N. alessandrii.

Santelices, R., F. Drake, C. Mena, R. Ordenes, and R.M. Navarro-Cerrillo. 2012. Current and potential distribution areas for Nothofagus alessandrii, an endangered tree species from central Chile. Cien. Inv. Agr. 39(3): 521-531. Nothofagus alessandrii ("ruil") is an endangered species native to the Maule Coastal Forest of central Chile. Previous studies have demonstrated that the current distribution of this species and rates of deforestation and fragmentation present a serious threat to the species. To address this threat, spatial and temporal variation in remnant "ruil" forest cover was analyzed for the period from 1991 to 2008. Using aerial photography and geomatic tools, the state of "ruil" forests cover in 1991 was compared to the "ruil" forests cover in 2008 and with this information, the potential distribution area of this species was calculated. The results demonstrate that the current area of "ruil" forest is approximately 314 ha, with a net loss of 42 ha (12% of the forested area) over the 17-year study period. The annual deforestation rate for "ruil" during this period was 0.74%, a value that is significantly lower than that reported just two decades ago. Taken together with the fact that the majority of "ruil" forests belong to large private companies, with an additional 15% protected by the Chilean government, the conservation status of "ruil" forest has become less critical, at least in the short term. In addition, the habitat model from this study showed that there is a large area of 9,841 ha within which "ruil" forests could be greatly expanded through active forest restoration.

The temperate deciduous species Nothofagus glauca (Phil.) Krasser exhibits characteristics commonly found in fire-adapted vegetation, yet the role of fire in the evolutionary history of the vegetation in south-central Chile has not been well investigated. We examined the effects of a wildfire on early succession in a Nothofagus glauca forest in the Coastal Cordillera of south-central Chile by comparing data from a burned forest to the vegetation in an adjacent, unburned stand.

A forest fire in 2017 consumed about 184,000 hectares among which an important part of Nothofagus alessandrii forests, which is also an endangered species, was affected. Sentinel II images and the Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) indices were used to evaluate the fire severity on N. alessandrii forests. Results show that 172 hectares were affected by the fire (55 % of the known remaining forests). High severity and Moderate-high severity burn surface was 89 hectares (28 % of the total burned) and this would be the most difficult area to be recovered by the system.

R. Santelices, S. Espinoza, N. Brunel, and G. Palfner. 2012. Effect of the geographical origin, culture media, and pH on the growth dynamic of the edible ectomycohrrizal mushroom Suillus luteus. Cien. Inv. Agr. 39(2): 369-376. Suillus luteus is the most important wild edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom harvested and exported in Chile. This introduced species forms mycorrhizal symbiosis with Pinus radiata, the most important exotic forest tree. To obtain optimized protocols for the controlled infection of P. radiata trees with this species, it is important to determine the appropriate culture conditions. Therefore, we studied the effect of the geographical origin (three localities from the Maule Region of Chile), culture media (Modified Melin and Norkrans (MMN) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA) 2%), and pH (5.0, 5.8, and 6.5) on the in vitro growth dynamics of S. luteus over 37 days. The results showed significant differences in the growth rate and colony diameter as a consequence of its geographical origin. However, no differences were found for either pH or culture medium. Our results confirm that a non-specific, economical culture medium, such as MEA 2%, may be used to obtain a suitable amount of mycelium for both medium-and large-scale assays of inoculation with this species.

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Efecto de la cobertura y de la fertilización en el desarrollo de plantas de Nothofagus alessandrii cultivadas en contenedorEffect of cover and fertilization on the early development of Nothofagus alessandrii nursery container seedlings SUMMARYNothofagus alessandrii is an endangered species. Yet, available information for the propagation and nursery cultivation of this species is conspicuously lacking. To this end, we studied the effect of cover and fertilization on early growth of nursery seedlings over one growing season. Using a split plot experimental design with completely random fixed-effect blocks we monitored seedling growth with three levels of shade (plastic net Raschel ® of 35, 50, y 80 %) and three doses of slow-release fertilizer (4, 6, and 10 g of Osmocote ® per litter of growth media). Results demonstrated a significant effect of shade treatments on seedling development. Differences between seedlings treated with 35-50 % when compared with those treated with 80 % cultivated were observed on the evaluated attributes. In general, fertilization did not affect seedling development. In conclusion, it is more efficient to cultivate N. alessandrii nursery seedlings at 35 % shade and 4 g L -1 fertilization. Under this scenario, it is possible to produce plants, on average, with 28 cm in stem length; 4 mm of root collar diameter; 3.2 g plant -1 total biomass; and quality indices of 6.9 (slenderness), 2.2 (rootshoot), and 2.1 (Dickson).

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