SUPERVIVENCIA DE PLÁNTULAS DE Melocactus peruvianus Vaupel y Haageocereus pseudomelanostele subsp. aureispinus (Rauh & Backeberg) Ostolaza, EN CONDICIONES EXPERIMENTALES. CERRO UMARCATA, VALLE DEL RÍO CHILLÓN, LIMA

Abstract

An experiment to determine the survival of Melocactus peruvianus Vaupel and Haageocereus pseudomelanostele subsp. aureispinus (Rauh & Backeberg) Ostolaza plantlets under different solar expositions was carried out. It was found out that the small plants survive more healthfully under shade conditions. These results reinforce the hypothesis that field observed recruitment is favored by the beneficial action of nursing plants (a plant that provides protection to its own seedlings or those of another species against heat stress, water or nutrients deficiency and herbivores) in the first years of development. Cacti and stones serve as nurses at the Chillón river valley due to the lack of a well developed shrubs layer.