Sexual and asexual reproductive aspects of Leontochir ovallei, a rare and endangered geophyte of the Atacama Desert

Abstract

Background: "Garra de Leon" (Leontochir ovallei) is an ephemeral endangered Alstroemeriaceae species endemic to Chile. Despite many efforts to improve the conservation of this species, the stimulation of dormant seeds and the production of rhizomes under controlled conditions remain unexplored. The aims of this study were to examine the germination responses of L. ovallei seeds under different in vitro conditions and to evaluate the formation of viable rhizomes after transplantation from in vitro to ex vitro conditions. Methods: We evaluated five in vitro seed germination treatments: (1) acid scarification, (2) acid scarification followed by imbibition of seeds in aerated water, (3) imbibition of seeds in gibberellic acid, (4) clipping of seeds with a scalpel, and (5) seeds without any treatment (control). Seedlings obtained under in vitro conditions were transplanted to ex vitro conditions following a gradual acclimation process. After eight months, the number of rhizomes per plant was counted. To test asexual multiplication, each rhizome with its respective storage organ was divided using a scalpel and then left to rest for two years before subsequent evaluation of viability. After that period, the rhizomes were re-hydrated, and the emergence of plants after three months was evaluated.

The complete chloroplast genome of the endangered species garra de león [Bomarea ovallei (Phil.) Ravenna] from Chile

“…1.) and is the most iconic flower of the flowering desert of Atacama (Vargas et al 2018). The Alstroemeriaceae family consists of approximately 200 species classified in four genera: Bomarea Mirb., Alstroemeria L., Luzuriaga Ruiz & Pav.…”