Reproducción de Adesmia boronioides, especie aromática y medicinal actualmente cosechada de poblaciones naturales en Patagonia

Abstract

Adesmia boronioides Hook. f., “paramela” grows in Argentinian Patagonia, from Neuquén to Tierra del Fuego. Its appearance is remarkable, nice smell and very widespread medicinal use in the region. The aerial parts from natural populations are being used industrially to obtain essential oil, nevertheless its cultivation has not been yet evaluated. The seeds qualities and propagation of this specie has been analysed in this contribution. Fruits from two populations nearby Esquel (Chubut) were collected and the seeds where obtained. These were tested through ISTA rules (2009) about physical characteristics, like shape, colour, sizes, one thousand weigh and number of seed per kilogram. Pre-sowing treatments were applied in laboratory and its germinations influence determined, and nursery plants were obtained. Seeds are kidney-shape, flattened with smooth, bright and hard covering. They are coloured from yellow to olive green with black spots. The most effective pre-sowing treatment to break dormancy was hot water immersion (80 °C). The cultivated plants in nursery were 19 to 23 cm in height and 2.3 to 2.6 mm in stem diameter. It would be feasible to out-planting this native species because of its seeds quality and the healthy seedlings obtained in nursery.