Biología de Valeriana pilosa R. &. P. (Valerianaceae): una especie en peligro de extinción de las altas montañas de Perú / Valeriana pilosa R. &. P. (Valerianaceae) biology: an endangered species in the high mountains of Peru

El estudio se realizó en un área de vegetación natural en Campo Alegre (3708 msnm), centro poblado de Huanico, distrito de Namora, Cajamarca (Perú), donde Valeriana pilosa R. & P. crece espontáneamente. Se describió la planta, la semilla, la regeneración natural, la fenología de las poblaciones, el área foliar y la asignación de la materia seca a los órganos de las matas adultas. Se realizaron pruebas de germinación y se evaluó el crecimiento de las plántulas. La planta vive en el pajonal, asociada, principalmente, a especies de Calamagrostis y Stipa. Se regenera mediante semilla, bajo la protección de las plantas acompañantes. La fenología de las poblaciones estuvo relacionada con la temperatura y la precipitación pluvial. El área foliar por mata fue de 925 cm2 y el índice de cosecha promedio de 35.8 por ciento. Mil semillas pesaron 0.2 g y tuvieron 43 por ciento de germinación. Las plántulas crecieron 5.6 mm mes-1.

The study was conducted in an area of natural vegetation in Campo Alegre (3708 m), Huanico, Namora district, Cajamarca (Perú), where Valeriana pilosa R. & P. (“valeriana”) grows spontaneously. Plant, seed, natural regeneration, phenology of populations, leaf area and dry matter allocation of the organs of adult bush were described. Germination tests were performed and the growth of seedlings was evaluated. The plant lives in the scrubland, mainly associated with species of Calamagrostis and Stipa. It is regenerated by seed, under the protection of companion plants. The phenology of populations was related to temperature and rainfall. The leaf area per plant was 925 cm2 and the average harvest index of 35.8 percent. Thousand seeds weighed 0.2 g and had 43 percent germination. Seedlings were grown 5.6 mm month-1.

In vitro propagation of the Garden Heliotrope, Valeriana officinalis L.: Influence of pre-chilling and light on seed germination.

Valeriana officinalis is an important medicinal herb commonly found in Kashmir valley. This study forms an important preliminary step for in-vitro micro propagation of V. officinalis from breaking the seed dormancy, inducing rapid seed germination and its subsequent micro propagation. We investigated the influence of pretreatment of V. officinalis seeds with reduced temperature and light on seed germination and in-vitro propagation. Culture of explants from cultivated seeds have demonstrated its potential for in vitro propagation and plantlet regeneration. Individual as well as combinations of treatments such as temperature and light availability influenced the germination of seeds variedly. Unchilled seeds of V. officinalis were given dip in GA3 (200 ppm) for 24, 48 and 120 h. Seeds treated with GA3 for 24 h and kept in darkness showed the best results, i.e. 48%. Seeds pretreated with GA3 for 120 h and incubated in dark showed 40% germination. Pre-chilling up to 72 h and kept in light showed maximum germination of 60% followed by 40% kept in darkness. Pre-chilling for 48 h resulted in 40 and 25% seed germination in light and darkness, respectively. GA3 pre-treatment for 72 h and 24 h pre chilling were most effective in inducing seed germination. Maximum shoot response was obtained on MS enriched with BAP (1mg/L) + IAA (0.1mg/L) combinations using shoot tips as explants. Multiple shoot regeneration from shoot apices was recorded on BAP (1mg/L) and BAP (1mg/L) + IAA (0.1mg/L).