Germination and early seedling growth of Tehuacan Valley cacti species: the role of soils and seed ingestion by dispersers on seedling growth

This study determined the effect of imbibition, temperature, and mechanical and acid scarification on germination of eight cacti species, simulating seed ingestion by birds and bats. The effect of shading and soils on seedling growth of two columnar species was also analysed, considering environmental modifications produced by nurse plants. OnlyPachycereus hollianusincreased its germination after seeds were soaked in acid solutions, whereas for the other species none of the treatments increased their germination. Shading affected the growth ofNeobuxbaumia tetetzoseedlings, whereas soils beneath nurse plants increased seedling growth ofP. hollianus, indicating that soils help survival through early-critical stages.