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<p>Understanding the germination ecology of alpine species is critical for predicting their regeneration responses under climate change and for informing conservation strategies. <i>Azorella compacta</i> Phil. (Apiaceae) is a long-lived cushion plant of the Central Andean highlands (&gt; 3,500&#xa0;m a.s.l.) characterized by extremely low natural recruitment and currently classified as Vulnerable in Chile. Here, we evaluated the effects of cold stratification duration (4 and 6 months), thermoperiod (10/5°C, 20/10°C, and 25/15°C), and their interaction on final germination, mean germination time (MGT), time to 50% germination (T50), and germination synchrony. Final germination was strongly influenced by thermoperiod, with very low germination under cold conditions (10/5°C) and progressively higher germination at intermediate and warm thermoperiods. Cold stratification significantly increased germination, although its magnitude depended on thermoperiod. Extending stratification from 4 to 6 months further increased germination, particularly under colder conditions, suggesting that prolonged cold exposure partially alleviates dormancy constraints when germination conditions are less favorable. In contrast, stratification duration had comparatively weaker effects on germination timing metrics, although warmer thermoperiods generally promoted faster germination. Germination synchrony showed a tendency to decrease after prolonged stratification, suggesting a broader temporal distribution of germination events, although these patterns should be interpreted cautiously due to instability in model fitting. Overall, our results indicate that seed germination in <i>A. compacta</i> depends on the combined effects of cold stratification and relatively warm post-stratification temperatures, consistent with the presence of physiological dormancy. These findings provide new insights into the regeneration ecology of this iconic high-Andean species and may contribute to future conservation and restoration efforts.</p>

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Effects of cold stratification and temperature on the seed germination of Azorella compacta Phil. (Apiaceae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月20日

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  • Lohengrin A. Cavieres,
  • Graciela Valencia,
  • Maritza Mihoc,
  • Felipe Reinoso,
  • Nicolás Cifuentes,
  • Patricio Rojas

摘要

Understanding the germination ecology of alpine species is critical for predicting their regeneration responses under climate change and for informing conservation strategies. Azorella compacta Phil. (Apiaceae) is a long-lived cushion plant of the Central Andean highlands (> 3,500 m a.s.l.) characterized by extremely low natural recruitment and currently classified as Vulnerable in Chile. Here, we evaluated the effects of cold stratification duration (4 and 6 months), thermoperiod (10/5°C, 20/10°C, and 25/15°C), and their interaction on final germination, mean germination time (MGT), time to 50% germination (T50), and germination synchrony. Final germination was strongly influenced by thermoperiod, with very low germination under cold conditions (10/5°C) and progressively higher germination at intermediate and warm thermoperiods. Cold stratification significantly increased germination, although its magnitude depended on thermoperiod. Extending stratification from 4 to 6 months further increased germination, particularly under colder conditions, suggesting that prolonged cold exposure partially alleviates dormancy constraints when germination conditions are less favorable. In contrast, stratification duration had comparatively weaker effects on germination timing metrics, although warmer thermoperiods generally promoted faster germination. Germination synchrony showed a tendency to decrease after prolonged stratification, suggesting a broader temporal distribution of germination events, although these patterns should be interpreted cautiously due to instability in model fitting. Overall, our results indicate that seed germination in A. compacta depends on the combined effects of cold stratification and relatively warm post-stratification temperatures, consistent with the presence of physiological dormancy. These findings provide new insights into the regeneration ecology of this iconic high-Andean species and may contribute to future conservation and restoration efforts.