There is controversy over whether cactus species form soil seed banks. Although it is commonly assumed that cacti do not form seed banks, very few studies have evaluated them. In this work, we analysed whether cactus species form soil seed banks, studying seed distribution, seed density and seed longevity in the Southern Central Andes. Soil samples were collected in two microhabitats (under nurse plants and in bare areas) at 12 selected sites. We determined seed presence-absence, density and distribution for 32 native cactus species. Seed longevity for six of these species was determined through a burial experiment. We recorded viable seeds for 62.5% of the 32 evaluated species, finding variation in seed density between microenvironments and among populations. In some species, the highest seed density was found under potential nurse plants. Seed germination and seed viability decreased with burial time, with seed longevity always being <24 months after burial. Our results show strong evidence that cactus species do form seed banks. Seed density can vary between microenvironments and among populations, suggesting that cactus-nurse plant associations can also be explained by differential seed dispersal and not only by differential establishment. We found that Echinopsis and Gymnocalycium species form short-term seed banks. Our results will help to better understand the population dynamics of cactus species, a focal species group for conservation actions because many of them are threatened by human activities.

Thermal and hydrotime requirements for seed germination can vary with the species, environment in which the seeds developed and/or seed mass. We investigated seed germination responses to temperature and water potential of Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco, Bulnesia retama, Parasenegalia visco, Parkinsonia praecox and Tecoma stans, all of which are native tree species of Chaco seasonally dry forests in northwest Argentina. We determined inter-and intraspecific variability in seed germination through thermal and hydrotime models and correlated model parameters with environmental variables of seed provenance and seed mass. Seeds of all species germinated to high percentage over a range of temperatures. Seeds of A. quebracho-blanco, P. praecox and T. stans were more tolerant to water stress than those of B. retama and P. visco. Thermal and hydrotime parameters for germination varied amongst species and populations. There was a negative correlation between thermal (θ T(50) ) and hydrotime (θ H ) constants and base temperature (T b ) and water potential (Ψ b(50) ). Seed mass correlated negatively with T b and positively with θ T(50) . Species and populations were grouped according to thermal and hydrotime parameters and seed mass but not according to seed provenance. These results suggest that seed germination traits related to temperature, water potential and seed mass are species specific, and the variations within a species are probably due to a high phenotypic plasticity. These species showed a complex set of germination strategies that give them a competitive advantage in different environments, depending on dispersal time, seed mass and local environmental conditions during the germination period.

Introducción y objetivos: Uno de los principales problemas para el manejo y uso de muchas especies vegetales es la presencia de semillas con dormición física. En este trabajo estudiamos la presencia de dormición física en mericarpos (unidad de dispersión) y semillas, las estructuras morfo-anatómicas involucradas y los métodos de salida de dormición física en semillas de Malvastrum coromandelianum (Malvaceae). M&M: Se realizaron ensayos de imbibición en mericarpos y en semillas intactas y escarificadas. Se describió la estructura morfo-anatómica de las semillas con microscopio electrónico de barrido y se evaluó el efecto de la escarificación mecánica, química y térmica sobre la germinación y estructura de las semillas. Resultados: Los mericarpos y las semillas escarificadas incrementaron > 160% su peso inicial, mientras que las semillas intactas incrementaron < 40% su peso. Las semillas presentaron una cubierta con células en empalizada y un complejo de abertura al agua ubicado en la región chalazal. Los mayores porcentajes y menores t 50 se registraron luego de la escarificación mecánica, seguido de la química y térmica (calor seco). Las escarificaciones química y térmica produjeron la eliminación de la tapa chalazal y formación de grietas alrededor de la región chalazal, mientras que la formación y eliminación de una ampolla chalazal sólo se observó luego de la escarificación química. Conclusiones: Las semillas de M. coromandelianum presentan dormición física. El ingreso de agua ocurre a través de un complejo de abertura (Tipo III compuesto) en la región chalazal de las semillas. Las escarificaciones mecánica, química y térmica son métodos eficientes para la salida de la dormición física y germinación de semillas.

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Trees of forest importance are a group of special interest for conservation actions due to their use value. To determine whether they can be conserved in seed banks, we studied the tolerance to desiccation and storage behaviour of four species from north-eastern Argentina: Handroanthus impetiginosus, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Neltuma alba y Pterogyne nitens. Desiccation tolerance was evaluated by decreasing the moisture content of the seeds to 4-5%. Storage behaviour was determined by storing dried seeds at -20, 5 and 20 °C for three, six and twelve months. The potential longevity of the seeds was estimated with an accelerated aging experiment. Response variable in all cases was the percentage of germinated seeds. The results indicated that the species have orthodox behaviour and can therefore be stored in seed banks. Throughout twelve months of storage the N. alba y P. nitens seeds remained dormant and had to be scarified to germinate. The potential longevity of the seeds allowed the species to be classified as short-lived (H. impetiginosus), intermediate-lived (J. mimosifolia y P. nitens), and long-lived (N. alba). The results will be useful to establish ex situ conservation strategies for these species, which should be complemented with in situ conservation actions.