XVI International Botanical Congess

The removal of bark in many Mexican plant species for medical and othe purposes is a common practice by farmers. However, bark regeneration processes in those species after they are mechanically injured are poorly known. Bark regeneration of Amphipterygium adstringens, Acacia farnesiana, A. cochliacantha and Pithecellobium dulce were studied. Two types of injury (superficial, deep) were done in five trees per specie and regeneration follow by one year. Bark regeneration in both mechanical injury modalities is similar to that reported for other species. The findings suggest, there is a differential rate of regeneration between superficial and deep injury. Moreover, rapid parenchymatous redifferentiation may be related to the scarce sclerenchyma and abundant parenchyma in A. adstringens and P. dulce, whereas the slow regeneration in the Acacia species probably is a consequence of the abundant sclerenchyma.