Germination of Calibanus hookeri (Lem.) Trel. Seeds Through Imbibition in Distilled Water Plus Physical Scarification

Calibanus hookeri (Lem.) Trel., known in Mexico as "tinaja," is a succulent plant highly valued as an ornamental plant, endemic to the states of Hidalgo, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosí. It is classified as threatened by NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, as its natural populations have been reduced due to excessive exploitation and habitat destruction. The environment in which the species grows experiences prolonged periods of drought and extreme temperatures, resulting in only 39% of the seedlings that emerge surviving. Therefore, it is urgent to undertake accessions for its ex situ conservation in germplasm banks. In this sense, in the seed laboratory of the Seed Collection of the National Center for Genetic Resources of INIFAP, a research work was carried out that resulted in the generation of this protocol, which aims to increase the percentage of germination in Calibanus hookeri seeds in the evaluation of the germination of the seeds of this species through pre-germinative treatments of seed imbibition plus physical scarification.