Implementación de una metodología para la propagación y crecimiento del romerillo

Abstract

Romerillo (Podocarpus oleifolius) is an autochthonous forest conifer of Ecuador that can be considered vulnerable. It is among the most important species as a sustainable and renewable source in the production of wooden articles, and as an element in the reforestation and controlled regeneration of natural forests. The present investigation proposes a methodology for the propagation of romerillo based on the influence of different organic substrates (humus, peat and manure) and altitude floors: Alao community, San Andrés parish and Juan de Velasco parish, belonging to the province of Chimborazo; Through taking horizontal and vertical growth data in a period of nine months, the incidence on growth was determined, which resulted in that the altitudinal floor does not have a significant difference in the growth of the plant; on the contrary, the use of different organic substrates affect its growth. When using smoke, there was 78% survival, with a growth rate of 3.01 cm per month and an average vertical growth of 24.03 cm. The use of organic substrates is necessary to increase the probability of propagation and adaptation of the species, regardless of the altitude floor. With these results, the methodology can be applied on a large scale in order to preserve vulnerable or threatened species.