Abstract

DELLAFIORE, Claudia M.  and  SAINZ, Maximiliano. Efecto de las aves y la temperatura sobre la germinación y viabilidad de las semillas de Rubus ulmifolius (Rosaceae). Cuadernos de Investigación UNED [online]. 2022, vol.14, n.1, e3786. ISSN 1659-4266.  http://dx.doi.org/10.22458/urj.v14i1.3786.

''Effect of birds and temperature on the germination and viability of Rubus ulmifolius (Rosaceae) seeds'' Introduction: Invasive species are causing serious modifications around the world, affecting deserts and tropical forests. In Córdoba, Argentina, the distribution and abundance of blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius) has increased in rural and wild environments. Seed dispersion by birds, and the high temperatures generated by forest fires, have been mentioned as the main cause of this increase. However, there are no studies about these hypotheses. Objectives: To know if the birds disperse the blackberry seeds and if they affect their germination, and to study the effect of high and low temperatures on germination and viability. Methods: Blackberry fruits and fresh feces from birds were collected in the field and the seeds kept at constant temperature during 20 months to measure germination; 27 samples of seeds (50 fruits per sdample) were kept at several temperatures and durations, ranging from room temperature to -11ºC, and from a few minutes to several days. Afterwards, they were germinated at constant temperature for 20 months. Additionally, 33 similar samples were treated for a viability test. Results: Neither seeds from the fruits, nor seeds from feces, germinate after 20 months. Most (75%) seeds from feces remained viable after 20 months. Viability was affected by temperature (H: 21,50; p = 0,0054). Conclusion: These blackberry seeds have a low germination power since they did not germinate under any treatment after 20 months. On the other hand, these seeds are highly resistant to high and low temperatures, although surface fires could destroy them.

Keywords : Germination power; fires; frosts; dispersal; blackberry.

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