VIABILITY STUDY AND CONSERVATION OF SEEDS OF FIVE AMAZON VEGETABLE SPECIES, AS A BASE FOR THE CREATION OF A GERMPLASM BANK, IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LETICIA, AMAZONAS, COLOMBIA

Abstract

As part of the process for the establishment of a germplasm bank of timber, nontimber Amazonian species that contribute to the food security of the region, the characterization of eleven plant species was carried out; consisting of definition of uses, fruiting periods and experiences of propagation, during the period from June to October 2017; To advance with the analysis of factors that directly affect the storage behavior of germplasm (seeds), five plant species were selected that were harvested during the period from September to November 2017, Carapa guianensis, Oenocarpus bataua, Bactris gasipaes, Scleronema praecox and Socratea exorrhiza, to which were made: location of seed trees, harvesting, cleaning, previous drying and determination of the moisture content of the seeds. The species Scleronema praecox had high moisture content, during the previous drying it was observed a rapid dehydration and contamination by fungi. Germination tests were carried out in the nursery, with different substrates to determine their viability before and after storage, showing positive germination results for the seeds sown without drying treatment and loss of viability of the seeds due to the decrease in moisture content (seeds recalcitrant).