Plant quality diagnosis in the El Campanario forestry nursery, Tuxtla Chico, Chiapas

Abstract

Quality plant production in forest nurseries guarantees success in the establishment of commercial forest plantations and
reforestation programs. Seedling quality refers to the appropriate morphological and physiological characteristics of plants to
survive and grow satisfactorily under the environmental and ecological conditions of the place where they will be planted. The
objective of this work was to know and describe the main cultural practices and evaluate the quality parameters of plants of
Primavera (Tabebuia donnell-smithii Rose), Roble (Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC.) and Cedro (Cedrela odorata L.) that are produced
for marketing purposes in the El Campanario forest nursery located in the First Section of Izapa, municipality of Tuxtla Chico,
Chiapas. The variables evaluated were total height, stem diameter, total biomass, as well as the shoot- root ratio, the sturdiness
quotient, lignification index and Dickson quality index. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with the results of other studies carried out in Mexico. From the results obtained, it is established that the cultural practices that are applied in the nursery are adequate, which allows obtaining plants of good quality forest species. In terms of height and diameter, the three forest species are within the established range to be planted in the field. Budget constraints make it difficult to increase productivity, but without a doubt, having the economic resources on time and sufficient for the sales of the plants on time, will allow better planning of the different activities and avoid delays in production.