DEVELOPMENT OF OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR THE GERMINATION OF ARGAN SEEDS (Argania spinosa (L.) SKEELS)
FATIMA ZAHRA ELMANDOURI
Laboratory of Citrus Breeding and Biotechnology, RU of Plant Breeding and Germplasm Conservation, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), POB 257, Kenitra, 14000, Morocco.
ANAS FADLI
Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, IFAS, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA.
ABDELHAK TALHA
Laboratory of Citrus Breeding and Biotechnology, RU of Plant Breeding and Germplasm Conservation, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), POB 257, Kenitra, 14000, Morocco.
OUIAM CHETTO
Laboratory of Citrus Breeding and Biotechnology, RU of Plant Breeding and Germplasm Conservation, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), POB 257, Kenitra, 14000, Morocco.
AHMAD OMAR
Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, IFAS, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA.
YASMINA EL BAHLOUL
Unité d‘Amélioration des Plantes, Conservation et Valorisation des Ressources Phytogénétiques, INRA, Rabat, Morocco.
RACHID BENKIRANE
Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, POB 133, Kenitra, 14000, Morocco.
HAMID BENYAHIA *
Laboratory of Citrus Breeding and Biotechnology, RU of Plant Breeding and Germplasm Conservation, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), POB 257, Kenitra, 14000, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is a medium-sized, thorny tree endemic to the semi-desert Souss valley of southwestern Morocco. Cultivated for oil and fodder, it is considered the most important plant species in North Africa from both economic and ecological standpoints. In the present work, argan seeds originating from two producing regions, namely Essaouira and Agadir, were tested for germination in different substrates (sand, peat, and 1:1 mixture of sand and peat) in order to develop effective propagation protocols for this plant. The tests were carried out using different pretreatment methods (1 mg.L-1 GA3 at 4°C for 48 h; distilled water at 4°C for 2 h; 1 mg.L-1 GA3 at 4°C for 2 h; lukewarm water at 40°C for 48 h) and two types of explants (nut and kernel). Although the results varied slightly between the two origin regions, the use of the 1:1 mixture of sand and peat as substrate has clearly enhanced In vivo germination of argan seeds both in terms of rates and duration. On the other hand, nuts germinated at a higher rate than kernels regardless of the treatment applied.
Keywords: Argania spinosa, propagation, nut, kernel, GA3