Informe de práctica laboral Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays

Abstract

Currently, Botanical Gardens are taking on new roles. On the one hand, they continue to fulfill their traditional role in scientific research, collection curation, public engagement with residents, and education, but on the other hand, they have had to commit to new tasks, such as the restoration of degraded habitats, the maintenance of germplasm banks, and the social approach to conservation. This internship included a tour of the Carlos Thays Botanical Garden (JBCT), understanding its role, organization, and operation, participating in plant propagation activities, and applying the knowledge and tools acquired throughout their training as a nursery technician. The internship included specific activities within the propagation greenhouse and the research projects that the JBCT carries out in response to various needs, both its own and those of others. The functions of the different areas and the actions through which they carry out the roles within it were recognized. One of the most important areas within the JBCT is the Butterfly Garden, specifically designed to attract butterflies to the open air through plants that provide food and breeding sites. Within this sector, work was carried out on the propagation of the Asclepias curassavica (Apocynaceae) species, revealing the presence of photoblastic dormancy in its seeds. Two research projects were investigated in depth: "Unique specimens from the garden: Phenology and Propagation" and "Propagation of species native to the River Plate biota." Within the former, participants participated in a second germination trial of Schotia afra (Leguminosae); this species is susceptible to fungal attack, so two disinfection methods were tested, obtaining the best results with bleach (Dilution: 55 ml/liter of H2O). S. afra presents physical lethargy, so it was subjected to mechanical scarification with a pyrographer, obtaining a 22% total germination and 50% survival in container. Within the second project, it was part of a first germination trial of Senna corymbose (Leguminosae), it was determined that this species is susceptible to the invasion of the beetle Sennius lateapicalis (Pic 1927) whose larvae feed on this plant. The pregerminative treatment that resulted in the highest germination power (PG) was the control (92%), however, the one that produced the highest germinative energy (EG) was the one subjected to thermal and mechanical scarification, a PG of 83% was achieved, the latter being the recommended treatment.