Provenance Variation in Seed Morphometric Traits, Germination, and Seedling Growth of Cordia africana Lam

Patterns of genetic variation in Cordia africana, a tropical timber species, were evaluated at the population level. Bulk seed samples were collected from six natural populations in Ethiopia and examined for variations in seed morphometric traits, seed germination, and seedling growth at nursery stage. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among provenances in all studied attributes except root collar diameter after 4 months of growth. The provenance effect, as determined by broad sense heritability, was 71–98% for seed morphometric traits, 80% for germination capacity, 42% for germination energy, 57–58% for seedling height and 3–13% for root collar diameter. Seed weight showed a significant positive correlation with altitude and negative correlation with mean annual temperature of seed origin. Germination energy was significantly correlated with longitude and mean annual rainfall. Seedling parameters and geo-climatic variables of seed origin were fairly correlated. A significant intercharacter correlation was found between seed length and seed weight, between root collar diameter at the age of 4 months and seed length and weight, as well as between seedling height after 4 and 8 months of growth. It can be concluded that the observed patterns of variation will have implications for genetic resources conservation and tree improvement.     

Germination and early seedling growth of Pinus densata Mast. provenances

We studied seed germination and early seedling growth of Pinus densata to explore the range of variability within the species and to inform afforestation practices.Phenotypes were evaluated at a forest tree nursery under conditions that support Pinus yunnanensis, one of the presumed parental species of P. densata. Seeds were collected from 20 open-pollinated trees within each of eight autochthonous populations representing the natural distribution of P. densata in China to assess variation in germination traits and early seedling growth, and to examine the relationships among these traits. Results showed that seeds from all populations germinated and seedlings established successfully. There were significant differences among populations in 13 of 14 traits evaluated. Seed germination and early seedling growth were strongly related to seed size and seed weight. Bigger seeds germinated earlier and faster than small seeds, and seedling size was positively correlated with seed size. Some germination traits were strongly and significantly correlated with climatic variables associated with the provenance of the studied populations. Based on these observations, we conclude there were large, significant, and biologically important differences among P. densata populations in seed germination and seedling growth traits. The observed variability probably reflects a high degree of adaptive differentiation among populations that is likely to be relevant for future afforestation.     

不同处理对木球卢卡树种子出苗的影响

对木球卢卡树种子分别采用8种不同的方法浸种，促进种子出苗。经方差分析表明，各处理间出苗率存在极显著差异。其中，150mg／L赤霉素浸泡24h效果最好，出苗率最高，达到63％-300g／L烟丝水浸泡24h效果次之，达到56％。两种处理方法整齐度都好，存在极显著差异。     

不同处理对凤凰木种子发芽的影响

凤凰木是世界热带地区著名的园林绿化树种,在我国热带南亚热带地区广为栽培,用常规方法育苗,种子发芽率低、发芽不整齐。为了提高凤凰木种子发芽率,采用沸水浸泡、浓硫酸处理以及砂擦种皮等措施,对种子进行播种前处理、催芽。试验结果表明:3种方法均能显著改善凤凰木种子的发芽状况,但以浓硫酸处理效果最好,其发芽率、发芽势最高,分别比对照高4．9倍和11．7倍,且发芽速度最快,平均发芽速度比对照快3 d;其次是砂擦处理,其发芽率比对照高3．4倍;100℃热水处理的效果较差,其发芽率仅比对照高 1.3倍。     

Germination and early seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densata</Emphasis> Mast. provenances

We studied seed germination and early seedling growth of Pinus densata to explore the range of variability within the species and to inform afforestation practices. Phenotypes were evaluated at a forest tree nursery under conditions that support Pinus yunnanensis, one of the presumed parental species of P. densata. Seeds were collected from 20 open-pollinated trees within each of eight autochthonous populations representing the natural distribution of P. densata in China to assess variation in germination traits and early seedling growth, and to examine the relationships among these traits. Results showed that seeds from all populations germinated and seedlings established successfully. There were significant differences among populations in 13 of 14 traits evaluated. Seed germination and early seedling growth were strongly related to seed size and seed weight. Bigger seeds germinated earlier and faster than small seeds, and seedling size was positively correlated with seed size. Some germination traits were strongly and significantly correlated with climatic variables associated with the provenance of the studied populations. Based on these observations, we conclude there were large, significant, and biologically important differences among P. densata populations in seed germination and seedling growth traits. The observed variability probably reflects a high degree of adaptive differentiation among populations that is likely to be relevant for future afforestation.     

5种豆科植物种子包衣萌发特性的研究

通过对草木樨、花棒、杨柴、锦鸡儿、紫穗槐等5种豆科植物进行种子包衣试验,结果显示,种子包衣能明显增加种子的千粒质量,与对照相比,种子包衣后的千粒质量增加98.61%～292.6%;发芽率没有显著差异,出苗率和苗高有显著提高;根长包衣前后没有明显变化。种子包衣是一项保护种子损失的有效技术措施,对荒漠化植被恢复有重大意义。     

油料树种风吹楠播种繁殖试验

对热带油料树种风吹楠的播种繁殖试验结果：风吹楠整个果实土壤播种萌发率高达90.52%,种子土壤和沙床播种萌发率分别为68.75%和64.81%,但整个果实沙床播种萌发率仅为12.64%。整个果实和种子的土壤播种苗都生长良好,生长量无明显差异。     

飞机草水提液对任豆种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以任豆为受体植物,研究了飞机草根、茎和叶的水提液对任豆种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感效应。结果表明,不同浓度水提液对任豆的化感作用强度不同,在100%高浓度下才能明显延缓任豆种子发芽速率和显著抑制幼苗根的生长;在不同部位水提液中,叶水提液的化感作用最强,且表现出低促高抑的现象;而各部位、各浓度的飞机草水提液对任豆的发芽率、苗高和干重等重要指标均无显著抑制作用,表明任豆对飞机草的化感作用具有较强抵抗力。     

东北地区刺楸种子解除休眠及催芽育苗的研究

通过不同试验材料、GA3应用和变温层积催芽对比试验,对刺楸种子解除休眠进行研究的结果表明:鲜种+GA3+(15℃,30 d;冷冻,90 d;-4~0℃,90 d)处理方法发芽率达到90.2%,出苗率达到81.5%;气干种温水(72 h)+GA3+(13~18℃,90 d;0~4℃,90 d)处理方法发芽率达到76.3%,出苗率达到66.4%。采用鲜种进行变温催芽处理对刺楸种子发芽率、出苗率和1年生苗木质量提高具有显著作用(p<0.01和p<0.05)。研究表明,刺楸种子属于形态-生理休眠类型,采用鲜种+GA3+变温层积催芽的综合处理方法能有效解除刺楸种子休眠。     

濒危树种极东锦鸡儿(Caragana fruticosa)种子的萌发特性

以濒危树种极东锦鸡儿成熟种子为材料,研究极东锦鸡儿种子物理性状和温度对其种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:极东锦鸡儿种荚结实率较低,且约有1/4种子受虫害;成熟种子含水量为6.6%,千粒重18.6 g。种子长、宽和厚存在一定变异。种子长度平均为0.42 cm,宽度平均为0.27 cm,厚度平均为0.24 cm,长宽比为0.64。种皮透水性良好。不同温度条件对种子发芽率具有极显著影响。25℃条件下种子发芽率最高,为38.33%。随着温度的升高或降低,种子发芽率降低。发芽试验的第八天是计算种子发芽势的适宜时期。不同温度条件对极东锦鸡儿幼苗高度的影响极显著,对胚根长度影响显著。25℃有利于幼苗高度和胚根长度的增加,较高温度(30℃)有利于幼苗生物量增加。     

种子大小和枯落物覆盖对黑松种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

2017年5月10日,将烟台沿海防护林内20～30年生黑松Pinus thunbergii母树的种子分为大粒、中粒和小粒播于花盆中,研究枯落物覆盖厚度(1 cm,2 cm,3 cm,4 cm)对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,以阐明沿海黑松防护林幼苗建立的机制。结果表明:种子大小对发芽率、发芽指数有着极显著影响(P<0.01),对平均发芽时间、活力指数没有显著影响。大粒种子比中小粒种子有着低的发芽率和发芽指数。在生物量分配和根系特征上种子大小没有显著影响,但对幼苗高度和地径有显著的影响(P<0.05),都是大粒和中粒种子大于小粒种子。枯落物覆盖厚度对于种子萌发有显著影响(P<0.05),发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数都随枯落物厚度的增加而增加,平均发芽时间则逐渐降低;但对幼苗生物量、生物量分配和根系特征无显著影响。相关分析表明,苗高和地径与发芽指标、幼苗生物量分配相关性不显著,但与比根长和比根表面积成显著正相关。因此,种子大小和枯落物覆盖厚度是影响沿海黑松防护林天然更新的重要因素。     

野生欧洲李种子萌发特性

为了掌握野生欧洲李种子萌发特性,探讨野生欧洲李实生繁殖规律,以新疆野生欧洲李为研究对象,观察种子形态,测定种子千粒质量、种皮透水性、种子含水量、种子活力,测定种子浸提液对白菜种子发芽和胚根生长抑制活性的影响。结果表明:新疆野生欧洲李种子的种皮透水性比较差;种子含水量为30.57%;TTC法检测种子活力为81.67%;4℃低温沙藏层积的野生欧洲李种子,在处理后90 d种子出现萌发,持续层积200 d后总萌发率为47%;种子各部分浸提液对白菜种子发芽率作用不明显,但对胚根生长有明显的抑制作用,随着浸提液浓度增长,对白菜种子发芽抑制活性越强,其胚根长度越短;随着野生欧洲李层积天数的增加,浸提液处理的白菜种子胚根长度增加;野生欧洲李种子各部分浸提物对白菜种子发芽抑制活性顺序为:种胚最强,种皮次之,种壳最弱。     

Variation in seed traits and seedling vigour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cordia africana</Emphasis> Lam. provenances in Ethiopia

Cordia africana is a very important indigenous tree species for timber and other products and services in Ethiopia. Seed traits and seedling vigour of seeds from 12 provenances of the species were compared. Mean seed mass for each provenance was assessed for 1000 seeds in 10 replications, and seed length and width were measured for 100 seeds in four replications per provenance. Germination was assessed in a glasshouse taking 400 seeds from each provenance. Root collar diameter and height of 440 seedlings grown in a nursery for 290 days in Addis Ababa were measured. Seed length, seed width, seed mass, and shoot height and root collar diameter of seedlings showed significant differences (P < 0.001) among provenances. Correlation analysis between seed and seedling traits and environmental variables revealed significant positive correlations between seed width and germination percentage, seed width and altitude, seed width and longitude and seed length and latitude. Negative correlations were obtained between seed width and temperature, seed width and rainfall, seed mass and temperature, and germination and temperature of the seed source. As expected, differences in seed trait did not explain the variability in seedling vigour. Determining quantitative variations in seed traits and seedling vigour among provenances and the patterns along environmental gradients are essential for informing decisions on the tree improvement programme of the species.     

Influence of duration of storage at room temperature,pre-sowing seed treatment and fruit colour harvest index on germination and seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jatropha curcas</Emphasis> L.

Jatropha curcas L. is being promoted by governments for greening marginal areas for rural development and biodiesel production in sub-Saharan Africa, however large gaps in knowledge on its agronomy and yield potential exist. The effect of duration of storage at room temperature, pre-sowing seed treatment of Jatropha seed and fruit colour harvest index on germination and seedling growth parameters was investigated. There was a significant negative correlation between the duration of storage of Jatropha seed and seed oil content (P < 0.001, r = ?0.99), viability (P < 0.01, r = ?0.93), percent germination (P < 0.05, r = ?0.90) and germination index (P < 0.05, r = ?0.89). The relationship between duration of seed storage and seed oil content and seed germination parameters was best described by quadratic and exponential functions which showed rapid declines in seed oil content and germination parameters in the first 3 years of storage and a slower decline between 3 and 8 years of storage. There was a significant negative correlation between duration of storage and seedling height (P < 0.01, r = ?0.97), stem diameter (P < 0.01, r = ?0.93) and dry weight (P < 0.05, r = 0.91) that was best described by quadratic functions. Seed oil content was significantly and positively correlated to seed viability (P < 0.01, r = 0.96), germination per cent (P < 0.01, r = 0.94) and germination index (P < 0.01, r = 0.93). The relationship between seed oil content and seed germination parameters was best described by exponential functions which showed an exponential increase in seed germination parameters as oil content increased above 30% and smaller increases below 30% oil content. Progressive peroxidation of lipids as seed aged explains the loss of oil from the seed. Peroxidation of lipids produced highly reactive radicals that damaged membranes and proteins reducing seed germination and seedling growth parameters as seed aged. Pre-sowing seed treatments (seed soaking and scarification) produced marginal gains in germination and seedling growth parameters in Jatropha seed stored for 3 months to 8 years. Seeds harvested at the yellow fruit maturity index, 60 days after anthesis (DAA), showed the highest seed germination percent while seed harvested at the black fruit maturity index, 75 DAA, had the highest oil content. Harvesting of Jatropha seed for oil expression is therefore recommended at the black maturity index while harvesting for seed is recommended at the yellow maturity stage. The results of this study indicate that Jatropha seed should be stored for as short a period of time as possible to maximize seed germination, seedling growth and oil yield.     

红锥育苗技术试验研究

对红锥种子采用不同人工处理的播种育苗试验表明:红锥种子经催芽断根育苗处理后,其1年生苗木平均高和平均地径分别比无断根处理的高22 0%和117 0%,单株侧根数增加127 71%,造林成活率提高23 0%。     

Seed bank and regeneration dynamics of Emmenopterys henryi 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 mosslitter.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.     

The Effects of Seed Mass on Germination, Seedling Emergence, and Early Seedling Growth of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.)

Half-sib seed of several eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) families was used to examine seed mass effects on laboratory germination, and seedling emergence and growth under moderate and low light (47 and 13% full sunlight) in a greenhouse. Percent germination and speed of germination under laboratory conditions were not related to seed mass among half-sib families or multi-family seedlots bulked by seed mass. Percent seedling emergence in the greenhouse was not related to seed mass, but families with heavier seeds exhibited faster emergence. Both rate and percent emergence were significantly increased under low light. Family differences in leaf, stem, root, and total seedling dry mass, primary root length, and the number of first-order-lateral-roots were positively related to seed mass in both light environments. Low light diminished the absolute biomass increment per unit seed mass, but the proportional change in biomass with seed mass was similar between light environments. Rate of emergence also influenced seedling size within families, with earlier emergence increasing seedling dry mass from 7 to 58%, dependent on light environment. Biomass partitioning coefficients were influenced by light environment but largely independent of seed mass.     

辣木播种育苗及扦插繁殖技术研究

文章研究了辣木种子的发芽率、发芽势及芽苗移栽前后的生长情况;并对两种不同截顶方式处理的穗条,不同类型穗条和不同基质插穗的扦插生长情况进行了研究。结果表明:种子萌发较易,种子吸水膨胀后,7 d即可大量萌发,发芽率为81%;萌发15 d后,肉质根初步形成,肉质根不耐水渍。60%黄心土 40%泥炭的混合基质,较适宜于辣木扦插生根苗移栽;选择带顶芽的穗条,不使用生根剂,扦插25 d后,生根率可达95%。     

吲哚丁酸对一串红种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

不同浓度吲哚丁酸(IBA)对一串红种子萌发及幼苗生长影响的研究结果表明:10-6 mg/L的IBA可以增加一串红种子的发芽率、侧根数、叶绿素含量和根系活力。     

NaCl处理对刺槐种子萌发的影响

以0．2％、0．4％、0．6％、0．8％等4种不同浓度的NaCl溶液处理刺槐种子,以蒸馏水（CK）为对照,探讨NaCl处理对刺槐种子萌发的影响,结果表明：随着处理浓度的升高,刺槐种子发芽能力和胚芽苗生长受到抑制的程度增大,剌槐种子萌发能忍耐的NaCl处理浓度为0．2％以下。