Conditions at natural sites
The comparison covered three populations in western Mexico, at Autlán and Zacoalco de Torres in Jalisco and Santa Rosa in Zacatecas. Plants occupied shallow soils with low nutrient availability. The sites differed in rainfall, temperature and light conditions, and growth rhythms were evaluated alongside these environmental variables. This design places the observations within a defined habitat and season [Pimienta-Barrios et al. 2002].
Arbuscular mycorrhiza
S. queretaroensis roots form arbuscular mycorrhiza. In three natural populations in western Mexico, researchers observed fungal hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles whose abundance changed during the summer rainy season. The onset of root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi preceded greater stem extension and higher stem phosphorus concentrations. At Autlán and Santa Rosa, arbuscular colonization was positively correlated with stem growth. The Autlán population also had the greatest mean fruit mass. These observations bring together plant phenology, root fungal activity and local environmental conditions in an account of the species’ seasonal functioning [Pimienta-Barrios et al. 2002].
Fruit and germination in the population comparison
Mean fruit mass was 98.5 g at Autlán, 87.5 g at Santa Rosa and 53.0 g at Zacoalco de Torres. Germination tests using seeds from these sites produced values of 98%, 90% and 94%, respectively. These values describe the particular populations and study conditions. They illustrate the value of considering fruit and seed characters together with maternal plant functioning and local environment [Pimienta-Barrios et al. 2002].
Synonyms and names in the literature
Cereus queretaroensis · Glandulicereus queretaroensis · Lemaireocereus queretarensis · Pachycereus queretarensis · Rathbunia queretaroensis · Ritterocereus queretaroensis [2-WWW]