The effect of light and temperature on seed germination in Hylocereus setaceus was analyzed by isothermic incubations under continuous white light and darkness. The minimum temperature for germination was between 5 to 10°C and the maximum between 45 to 50°C. The optimum temperaturewais between 25 and 30°C. The involvement of phytochrome, by very low fluence response, in controlled seed germination was attained by incubation in a gradient of photoequilibrium of phytochrome. The results indicated that seeds of H. setaceus germinated in a wide range of temperature, under canopy and in open areas, but in complete darkness they did not germinate.
Endangered cactus; phytochrome; seed germination
