Effect of substrate on the sexual propagation of Cinchona officinalis L. (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Cinchona officinalis, known as cinchona tree, is an emblematic species of Peru, with high medicinal value, became popular for its antimalarial use and is in danger of extinction. The objective of the research was to study the effect of substrate on the sexual propagation of C. officinalis. A completely randomized design was applied with five treatments according to the type of substrate T1 (25 % forest soil + 75 % sand), T2 (50 % forest soil + 50 % sand), T3 (75 % forest soil + 25 % sand), T4 (100 % forest soil) and T5 (100 % sand). Three replicates and 100 seeds per experimental unit were used in the treatments. The onset of germination of C. officinalis occurred from 12 days after sowing until day 42. The forest soil substrate had the best effect on the index (18.45 ± 3.63), speed (0.40 ± 0.06), time (21.44 ± 0.98) and germination percentage (85 % ± 13.23 %); followed by treatments T3 and T2. T5 was the treatment with the least effect on C. officinalis germination. The study shows that the type of substrate used favored the germination process of C. officinalis seeds, suggesting the use of a substrate from natural forests and pure (without combination).