Effects of seedbed substrate on moisture conditions and germination of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seeds in a mixed conifer stand

The objective of this investigation was to comparemoisture conditions and Scots pine (Pinussylvestris L.) seed germination percentages in fourtypes of seedbed substrates, (i.e., feather mosses,mineral soil, humus, and ground organic material). Twoexperiments were conducted, with and withoutirrigation, in the summer of 1996 in a stand innorthern Sweden. The moisture conditions weredetermined by periodically weighing seedsamples. When plots were not irrigated, no seedsgerminated, probably because conditions were too dryin the seedbeds, as indicated by the low seed moisturecontent (under 15%). However, during rainy days, seedmoisture contents were relatively high (20–45%). Onthe irrigated plots the seeds germinated on allseedbed substrates, with the best germinationoccurring in humus (about 40%). Seed moisturecontents were high and relatively consistent in allirrigated seedbed substrates (35–55%). Inirrigated plots temperature rather than moisture, wasa limiting factor, and germination was highest in thewarmest seedbed types which are generally regarded aspoor germination substrates. We suggest that seedbedsin areas scheduled for harvesting be prepared in thestand before clear-cutting, and that the preparationshould enhance not only the substrates's water-holdingcapacity, but its thermal conductivity as well.     

Determination of Moisture Conditions using Pinus sylvestris Seeds as Biosensors

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether it might be possible to use seeds (Pinus sylvestris L.) as biosensors for determining seedbed moisture conditions by repeatedly weighing them during inhibition and desiccation. To make the seeds manageable, they were glued on to a Nylon thread. Tests were conducted in the laboratory under different moisture regimes (close to 75% and 100% air humidity with and without a wet substrate) to determine whether water uptake or water loss was influenced by this gluing. In a very moist environment (resulting in 40-50% seed weight change), the increase in seed weight was a few percentage units lower for glued seeds than for non - glued ones. However, gluing had no significant effect when seeds were exposed to air humidity only (10% and 20% seed weight change). It was concluded that it is possible to use seeds as biosensors for the determination of moisture conditions.     

13种竹种子低温储存条件及种子育苗环境研究

为解决竹子种子长期保存问题,以马来龙竹、云南龙竹、巨龙竹、金平龙竹、麻竹、长节勒竹、云南箭竹、棉花竹、爪哇巨竹、大泰竹、笻竹、方竹和毛竹13种竹子的成熟种子为材料,通过研究不同低温、低温下不同储存时间、不同含水量、不同发芽设施和不同基质对种子发芽率的影响,来判断竹子种子保存的适合条件。结果表明：1）除笻竹和方竹的种子外,大多数竹种的种子在低温储存5个月内,随着温度由10℃逐渐降低到-16℃,种子发芽率会有不同程度的增高;2）在-16℃条件下,随着储存时间的延长,种子发芽率会有所下降;3）种子含水量会在很大程度上影响种子的发芽率,含水量超过在一定临界值,随着含水量的增加,种子发芽率会显著下降;4）选择不同的种子发芽设施也会影响种子发芽率,生产中宜选用具有微喷灌条件的温室进行育苗;5）在无菌红土、黑土和蛭石这3种基质中,蛭石是竹子播种育苗的适宜基质。     

三峡地区柏木林种子雨和种子库的研究

柏木种子雨在8月底开始降落,10月达到顶峰,翌年5月结束,历经9个月左右。整个过程呈单峰曲线,10~11月的种子雨量占全年的67.5%。种子雨时间变化格局差异极显著,而水平空间分布格局没有显著差异。种子雨中柏木种子的年均密度为5 982.2粒.m-2。63.4%的柏木种子直径大于2.5 mm,构成了柏木种子雨的主体。由于这一级别柏木种子的萌发能力较强,因此三峡地区柏木林的更新能力强。柏木林中非柏木种子的种子雨每年主要发生在1月和5月,形成2个高峰,年均种子雨密度为1 842.8粒.m-2。土壤种子库中柏木种子的平均密度为608.8粒.m-2。柏木种子在土壤种子库中垂直分布格局差异极显著。0~2 cm土壤层所分布的柏木种子占种子库中柏木种子的80.49%。其它土壤层次所含有的种子比例很低,且萌发能力较低,因此,柏木林的更新主要依赖于表层土壤种子库的种子。柏木种子在种子库中的水平分布格局虽然随坡位的不同而有所变化,但是差异不显著,表明整个柏木林的更新能力在水平格局上无显著差异。     

Temperature Relations of Germination in Acer platanoides L. Seeds

The aim of this study was to describe the effect of temperature on the germination response of Acer platanoides L. seeds and the possible influence of dormancy. Moist chilled seeds (fruits) from eight trees were germinated at eight constant temperatures from 3 to 32C for 30 days. The highest germination was obtained at temperatures below 10C and the highest rate of germination was between 22 and 28C. The critical lower temperature for germination was estimated to be -2.6C, and the critical upper temperature between 30 and 35C. Temperatures above 10-15C increasingly inhibited the germination of seeds. Some of the non-germinated seeds were able to germinate after a second chilling period, possibly as a consequence of further release of primary dormancy and an indicated secondary dormancy. Seed survival decreased with increasing temperatures above 15C. The rate of germination was correlated with the accumulated thermal time at suboptimal temperatures. In conclusion, a constant temperature of 10C is recommended for testing the germination of seeds of A . platanoides.     

Seed viability of selected tree,shrub, and vine species stored in the field

Seeds from 10 species were collected, sealed in fiberglass screen pouches, and stored under hardware-cloth cages on both a forest and cleared site for up to five years. At each site, half of the pouches were placed under leaf litter and the other half were planted in mineral soil. Liquidambar styraciflua and Callicarpa americana seeds had high germination rates under all conditions. Quercus falcata, Sassafras albidum, Rhus copallina, and Vaccinium arboreum required planting in mineral soil to ensure germination. Planted Myrica cerifera and Vitis aestivalis seeds germinated well on both sites. Myrica cerifera also germinated well if placed under litter on the forest floor and Vitis aestivalis if placed under litter on the cleared site. Germination of Crataegus uniflora seeds was erratic. Most Lonicera japonica were unsound when collected. Germination rates generally decreased over time, but some Sassafras albidum, Myrica cerifera, and Vaccinium arboreum seed germinated after four years, and Rhus coppalina, Callicarpa americana, Crataegus uniflora, and Vitis aestivalis seeds germinated after five years in the field.     

Target seed moisture content,chilling and priming pretreatments influence germination temperature response in Alnus glutinosa and Betula pubescens

Abstract

The response of common alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.] and downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) seeds to germination temperature was examined following chilling and priming. Seeds of two seed lots of each species were subjected to combinations of chilling (4±1°C) and priming (20°C) treatments in fully imbibed (FI) state or a lower target seed moisture content (TMC) level (30% and 35% in alder and birch, respectively). After treatment, the seeds were allowed to germinate for 56 days at constant temperatures of 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30°C. The response to temperature and pretreatment differed between species, but the effect was consistent in each seed lot within each species. In alder, the TMC seeds germinated well across the full range of temperatures, whereas there was an optimum temperature (22–23°C) for seeds given the FI pretreatment. Priming had no significant effect on the germination response of the TMC seeds in alder, but priming greatly improved germination in the FI seeds, especially at the lower germination temperatures (optimum 18–19°C). In contrast, in birch, the TMC seeds germinated better across the full temperature range, but the optimal germination temperature (15°C) was the same for all seed pretreatments. Priming improved germination in both the FI and TMC seeds in birch.     

Effects of storage conditions on dormancy and vigor of Picea abies seeds

The dormancy and vigor of Picea abies seeds were studied after five months of storage at 25 and 75% relative humidity (RH) and 5 and 12 °C. Dormancy was evaluated by studying germination response to light and moist chilling at 12 and 21 °C. Dormancy causing germination reduction in the dark was induced in seeds during storage at 25% RH (5–6% moisture content, MC) in darkness. The dormancy was greater when seeds were germinated at 12 than at 21 °C and after storage at 12 than at 5 °C. The effective dormancy relief by light indicates that germination was under phytochrome control. Moist chilling could partly replace light. According to accelerated aging and leachate conductivity tests, dry seeds could be stored at 12 °C for five months without affecting their vigor. After storage at 75% RH (11% MC) and 5 °C, the seeds germinated slowly and incompletely. The decreased germination response to light indicates that other processes than those mediated directly by phytochrome restricted germination of these seeds. The positive germination response to moist chilling suggested that secondary dormancy was induced in the seeds. However, vigor tests gave some evidence of simultaneous decrease of vigor. Storage at 75% RH and 12 °C decreased germination nearly to 0%. Germination of seeds stored at 75% RH could be stimulated by a short accelerated aging period.     

Fire effects on germination of seeds from Rhus and Rubus: competitors to pine during natural regeneration

Throughout the southeastern United States, Rhus and Rubus species are common associates of the southern pines on a wide array of upland site and stand conditions. Because of their ability to overrun disturbed sites, these species are categorized as competitors to pine during stand regeneration. Since prescribed burning is often used for site preparation in advance of pine regeneration, this study investigated the effect of fire on the germination of seeds from three pine competitors (Rubus argutus Link, Rhus copallina L. and Rhus glabra L.). During dormant-season burns, sumac seeds were located 45 cm above litter, within the F layer of a reconstructed forest floor, and at the interface of the forest floor and mineral soil. During growing-season burns, fresh blackberry fruits were placed at heights of 0, 15, 30, and 45 cm above the surface litter of a reconstructed forest floor. In subsequent germination tests, sumac seeds from within the F layer of burned litter had significantly higher germination rates for smooth sumac (31%) and shining sumac (42%) as compared to unburned control seeds (1–5%). In general, germination rates for sumac seeds placed in the air or on mineral soil during burning were no better than control seeds. Seeds from blackberry fruits that were located at heights of 15, 30, and 45 cm had germination rates that were comparable to unburned control seeds (18%), but seeds from fruits placed on the litter during burning had <1% germination. Results suggest that sumac seed germination may be enhanced by the heat from prescribed burning, whereas blackberry seeds showed more germination response to multiple germination cycles which indicated a potential for long-term storage in the soil seed bank.     

“Target moisture content” prechill overcomes the dormancy of temperate conifer seeds

Temperate conifer seeds are often considered to be shallowly dormant because a dormancy breakage treatment such as incubation of moist seeds at 4°C (prechilling) for 3–6 weeks improves germination. However, longer prechill durations can induce germination during the cold phase. Since the delicate radicles of prematurely germinated seeds are easily damaged and killed during sowing, potential benefits of extended prechilling are unknown.Described here for the first time is a target moisture content (TMC) prechill. In this dormancy breakage method the seeds are chilled at moisture contents high enough for removal of dormancy but low enough to produce surface dry, free flowing seeds that do not germinate during chilling. The method is a simple, effective and practical way to restrict the amount of water available to seeds from the start of a prechill treatment. The TMC prechill was applied to three conifer species, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco), Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas), and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bongard) Carrière). All three species benefited from the TMC prechill. Extending the prechill period progressively improved germination by widening the range of temperatures over which germination occurred, raising germination capacity at most temperatures and increasing germination rate at all temperatures. The optimum prechill period combining high germination capacity and low mean germination time was 36 weeks for Douglas fir, from 36 to 76 weeks for Lodgepole pine and 36 or 76 weeks for Sitka spruce depending on incubation temperature. None of the seeds of any of the species germinated during the TMC prechill of up to 76 weeks at 4°C.This work is Crown copyright, reproduced by Kluwer Academic Publishers by permission of the Forestry Commission.     

Seed bank and regeneration dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emmenopterys henryi</Emphasis> population on the western side of Wuyi Mountain,South China

Emmenopterys henryi Oliv. (Rubiaceae) is an endangered tree species that is native to China. The wild populations of E. henryi have declined rapidly because of its poor natural regeneration, but the actual regeneration processes are not yet understood. In field tracking surveys and experiments in the Wuyishan Nature Reserve in Southeast China to determine the most important stage that affects the regeneration process, seed bank characteristics, seed germination, and seedling growth dynamics were studied in the typical habitats of E. henryi, Phyllostachys pubescens and broad-leaved forests. Results showed that in both P. pubescens and broad-leaved forests, more than 70% of the E. henryi seeds were distributed in moss and litter layers, and few were found in the soil beneath them. However, seed germination in the soil layer was significantly higher than in the moss and litter layers. Seed density, overall seed quality, and germination rate in the broad-leaved forest were significantly higher than in P. pubescens forest. Seed germination was highest in the microsites around the edge of the crown projection area of E. henryi mother trees. The order of survival rate of the seedlings on different ground surfaces was soil > moss > litter. In both habitats, the average seed density was 24.9 seeds m^?2, and the total germination rate was less than 3.5‰. However, seedlings developed from only 1% of the germinated seeds, indicating that the seed germination is the most important stage in the natural regeneration of E. henryi.     

Sexual Reproduction of European Aspen (Populus tremula L.) at Prescribed Burned Site: The Effects of Moisture Conditions

Aspen (Populus tremula) is capable of reproducing both sexually and asexually from root suckers, the latter being more common. Seedlings are rare even though potential seed production is enormous. The aim of this study was to find out how different moisture conditions affect emergence and survival of aspen seedlings on burned soil. We set up a sowing experiment on mineral soil and on humus. The sowing was done at 240 microsites (θ7 cm) in 15 blocks (1×1 m). Treatments were sowing time, watering and sowing shelter. A total of 1463 seedlings emerged on mineral soil and 26 on humus. Watering, covering, their interaction, block and sowing time had significant effects on the number of seedlings. The largest numbers of seedlings were recorded at microsites that were watered and covered. The survival of seedlings was 20% during the growing season and 45% over winter. We conclude that seedbed conditions and moisture are the most essential factors for sexual reproduction of aspen. Short-term weather conditions have an important effect on seedling emergence and are likely to greatly affect field studies.     

Effects of presowing treatments, desiccation and storage conditions on germination of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, a valuable medicinal plant

Seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica have slow and erratic germination; thus different presowing treatments were applied to enhance the germination of its seeds collected from Tamaraikulam, Tamil Nadu, India. In addition, the effects of desiccation and different storage conditions on the germination of S. nux-vomica seeds were investigated. The results show that soaking in 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA₃) for 24 h, incubation of seeds at 40 °C for 3 days and alternate water soaking (16 h) and drying (8 h) for 14 days significantly increased the percentage germination compared to the control. Desiccation of seeds down to 10% moisture content resulted in better germination. Germination of S. nux-vomica seeds differed significantly between different storage periods, moisture contents of the seed and for first and second order interactions (p<0.001). The highest germination (92%) was achieved when seeds with 10% moisture content were stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks. Evidence from the present study indicates that S. nux-vomica seeds possess physiological dormancy that can be broken effectively by after-ripening. As seeds of S. nux-vomica are found to be desiccation tolerant, dry seed (10% moisture content) can be hermitically stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks without losing their viability.     

Desiccation and storage behavior of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) seeds

The effect of seed moisture content (m.c.) and seed storage conditions of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) was investigated in relation to seed viability. In the first experiment, the effect of drying rate on seed moisture and seed germination was investigated. Fresh seeds, with their original moisture content displayed a germination percentage of 55.1%. When the seed moisture content was reduced by 2.0% in an oven, the germination percentage rose to 81.0%. When the seed moisture content was reduced even more by using the same method, the germination percentages decreased dramatically. Reducing the seed moisture content to 28.7 and 23.5% by drying the seeds in alternating room conditions resulted in an increase of seed germinability to 84.3 and 90.9%, respectively. The drying of the seeds for 45, 60 and 75 days reduced their seed germination to 66.8, 49.4 and 48.0%, respectively. Reducing seed moisture content below 15.0% resulted in practically nullifying seed germinability. The fact that bay laurel seeds cannot retain their germinability at lower moisture contents demonstrates that it is a species with recalcitrant seeds. In the second experiment, moist and dry storage conditions were tested under different temperatures and moisture contents. The storage experiment showed that the most effective way of conserving the bay laurel seeds is moist storage at 0 ± 1°C for 4 months without previous drying of the seeds.     

不同环境因子对落叶女贞种子萌发特性影响的研究

为了给落叶女贞快速繁殖提供理论依据,以落叶女贞种子为试验材料,采用纸上发芽法,研究了不同赤霉素浓度、温度、光照和土壤湿度对落叶女贞种子萌发的影响,结果表明:25℃是落叶女贞种子的最适发芽温度,发芽率达92%,有光时的种子发芽率高于无光时的,但落叶女贞种子在有光和无光时发芽率差异不显著;200mg/L赤霉素处理落叶女贞种子的发芽率最高,达78.56%;在土壤湿度为20%时,落叶女贞种子发芽率最高,达93.52%,萌芽速度最快。     

The effect of different pre-sowing seed treatments, temperature and light on the germination of five Senna species from Ethiopia

The germination requirements of five Senna species: S. bicapsularis, S. didymobotrya, S. multiglandulosa, S. occidentalis and S. septemtrionalis have been investigated. Seeds possess dormancy which is caused by their hard seed coats hampering maximum, uniform and rapid germination. To overcome this dormancy, seeds of the five species were pre-treated with (a) mechanical scarification, (b) concentrated sulphuric acid for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and (c) boiling water for 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds. To determine the effects of temperature on the germination of seeds, pre-treated seeds from each species were incubated at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Germination was also tested in the dark. Both acid treatment and mechanical scarification resulted in fast and uniform germination. The highest germination (95–100%) for all species was obtained from seeds treated with sulphuric acid for 60 minutes. Mechanical scarification resulted in 100% germination in all the species except S. septemtrionalis (59%). Boiling water improved germination significantly in S. didymobotrya (98%), S. occidentalis (82%) and S. septemtrionalis (97%), but had very little effect on S. multiglandulosa and reduced germination in S. bicapsularis. Senna seeds germinated over a wide range of temperatures with the optimum temperatures for germination falling around 20–25°C. Germination was either completely inhibited or very low at 10°C. Seeds of all species germinated both in light and dark conditions.     

Effects of Seed Invigoration and Microsite Preparation on Seedling Emergence and Establishment After Direct Sowing of Pinus sylvestris L. at Different Dates

Seed properties and seedbed conditions influence forest regeneration following direct seeding. It might therefore be possible to improve result by improving seed quality and seedbed conditions. In a direct seeding experiment designed to determine the effects of seed invigoration (incubation at 30% moisture content for 7 days) and microsite preparation (2-cm-deep pyramidal indentations) on the regeneration, sowing was repeated on eight different occasions, and seedling emergence, survival and height growth were recorded. Seedling emergence, mainly after early sowing, was improved by invigoration when used in combination with microsite preparation. Both survival and growth were impaired by delaying sowing until later in the growing season, but were not significantly affected by invigoration or microsite preparation. It is concluded that an improved and less varying regeneration result after direct sowing may be achieved by using invigorated seeds in combination with microsite preparation.     

Seed production of western larch in seed-tree systems in the southern interior of British Columbia

A series of surveys and experiments were conducted on four sites to identify constraints to seed production and natural regeneration in western larch seed-tree systems in the southwestern interior of British Columbia, Canada. These surveys included pollen monitoring, a cone analysis to evaluate seed production potential, seed trapping to estimate seed rain and the installation of field germination trials to assess the effects of germination substrate and seed losses due to bird and rodent predators. Pollen shedding was found to be adequate for moderate seed production with filled seed counts ranging from 9 to 30 per cone (10–34% of all seeds/cone). No significant differences in seed yields per cone and cone characteristics were observed between uncut control stands and seed-tree stands. Seed rain was generally good in 1995, ranging from 70,000 to 4.6 million seed/ha. For the four seed-tree stands, the average filled seed percentage of the trapped seeds ranged from 9–30%. Seed rain and seed quality were much reduced in 1996. Field germination trials showed western larch seeds germinated and survived best (15–70%) on mineral soil but rodent and/or bird predation reduced germination success significantly. Germination/germinant survival on undisturbed forest floor, covered with predator exclusion screens, was intermediate.     

Inhibition of black spruce seedling growth by forest-floor substrates of central Newfoundland

The objective of this study was to determine if seedbed substrates consisting of F and H organic matter and Ae and Bf mineral material inhibited seed germination and subsequent seedling growth of black spruce. The study was conducted with seedbed substrates collected from eight pure blackspruce stands of four age classes (15, 30, 45 and 60 years) in central Newfoundland.No significant effect on percentage germination or primary shoot growth of seedlings was obtained when grown on F and H organic matter, Ae and Bf mineral material. However, growth and development of primary roots was significantly reduced in the F and H organic matter and Ae mineral material compared to the controls (washed sand). The inhibitory effect increased with stand age. The affected seedlings did not produce normal primary roots with root hairs. The primary root cells of the affected seedlings were significantly broader and shorter compared to the control seedlings. Mineral material from the Bf horizon did not have any significant effect on primary root growth of black spruce seedlings.     

播种基质与催芽方法对迎红杜鹃出苗率的影响试验

以迎红杜鹃种子为材料,采用双因素4次重复随机排列试验设计进行了不同播种基质和不同催芽方法对播种出苗率的影响试验.结果表明,不同基质与不同催芽方法以及二者的交互作用对迎红杜鹃播种出苗率均有显著影响.其中,以播种基质为腐殖土与沙混合,比例为2∶1,上面再铺一层1 cm厚粉碎的旱苔藓,催芽方法为播种前10d混湿沙,种沙比为1∶6,置于温室或小拱棚内摊开,每天翻动2次并适时喷水这个组合出苗率最高.