Analysis of Germination Curves of Cinchona officinalis L. (Rubiaceae) Using Sigmoidal Mathematical Models.

Abstract

Seed germination is the fundamental phenomenon that determines the successful growth and development of each plant species, even more so in Cinchona ofcinalis, which is a forest species that stands out for its medicinal importance. Te objective of this work was to determine the best sigmoidal mathematical model describing the germination of C. ofcinalis. For the germination test, a completely randomized design was used with six treatments and three replicates per treatment; 100°C. ofcinalis seeds were used per replicate, and 1800 seeds were needed in the trial. Gompertz sigmoidal, logistic, and von Bertalanfy models were used to analyse the germination curves of C. ofcinalis. Te results of these adjustments were analysed based on the graphic representation and statistical criteria (Akaike’s value (AIC), R2, and R2 ai). Te results suggest that the Gompertz and logistic models have a better graphic representation, showing values close to those observed, while the von Bertalanfy model shows negative germination values. According to the statistical criteria, the lowest AIC and the highest were obtained. R2 and R2 ai with the Gompertz model, followed by the logistic model and von Bertalanfy. It is concluded that the Gompertz model can represent the shape of the germination curves of C. ofcinalis for the six treatments of the test.