Evaluation of the germination of Capparis spinosa L. and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum in the context of rural nurseries

National School of Forest Engineers, Salé

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Abstract

This research assessed germination of Capparis spinosa L. and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum within a rural nursery located in Morocco's High Atlas uplands (Ait M'Hamed, Azilal region). Seeds were harvested locally and soaked in water prior to planting inside a greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions (10°C at night, 25°C during the day, irrigation when required, peat substrate). In C. spinosa, soaking in hot water (50°C) facilitated the breaking of dormancy and significantly shortened latency by four days with a higher germination percentage (62.9% vs 51.4% in control). By contrast, in A. pyrethrum much longer soaking at room temperature was more beneficial (germination beginning on the third day and a high final rate 90.0% compared with 67.9%). These findings showed that low cost, easily accessible, and ecological water treatments are effective in enhancing dormancy release and seed germination vigor of these both species especially for two emblematic species of the PAM from Morocco. Application of these treatments in village cooperatives could encouraged the domestication and cultivation of C. spinosa and A. pyrethrum, reduce pressure on wild collections, help to conserve biodiversity and increase income generation at local level. More studies of other treatments and seedling growth are required to validate these practices.