Assessing native germoplasm for extensive green roof systems of semiarid regions.

CÁCERES, N.; IMHOF, L.; SUAREZ, M.; HICK, E.; GALETTO, L.

Ornamental Horticulture

SBFPO - Sociedade Brasileira de Floricultura e Plantas Ornamentais

Lugar: Sao Paulo; Año: 2018 vol. 24 p. 466 - 476

2447-536X

Extensive green roofs (EGR) spaces constitute harsh and stressful growing environments, and consequently a limitedrange of plants species that can be routinely used there. The habitat template hypothesis suggests that EGR can be analogous asnatural environments, what makes native plants as an alternative for these conditions. This paper aimed to assess the potential useof 15 native plants from Córdoba Province (Argentina) for green roofs, based on cover ability, survived rates and health status observations during a period of 414 days. Sedum acre L. was used as the control. Glandularia x hybrid, Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene,Melica macra Nees, Eustachys retusa (Lag.) Kunth and Grindelia cabrerae Ariza kept up a 60% of coverage during all the periodof study. The first two species had an outperformed green coverage (at 72th day; 95% and 98% respectively) in relation to thecontrol species (Sedum acre; 87%). Eustachys retusa and Grindelia cabrerae grew progressively and kept their coverage constantproximally to 65%. Sedum acre, Grindelia cabrerae, Hysterionica jasionoides Willd, Melica macra, Phyla nodiflora, stood out inplant survival rates; but S. acre suffered changes in health status throughout the evaluation period, especially with low temperaturesor at high humidity conditions. It is necessary to underline the reseeding potential of Eustachys retusa, a process that could guarantee perpetuation of the species on EGR.