Germination and seedling growth of Quercus vulcanica: effects of stratification, desiccation, radicle pruning, and season of sowing

Effects of stratification, desiccation, radicle pruning, and season of sowing on Quercus vulcanica germination and growth were studied to identify optimum nursery procedures for artificial regeneration of this species. Following stratification (0, 2, 4 and 8 weeks), acorns were germinated, and acorn moisture content and germination performance were also determined at various times during desiccation. In early December unsprouted acorns were planted in containers, and in early April sprouted acorns, which had been stored in polyethylene bags at 4 °C, with radicles left intact or with radicles pruned back to 1.0 cm were planted in containers.Stratification for 2 and 4 weeks did not increase germination percentage but significantly increased germination rate. Germination percentage of the seeds dropped when the moisture content of the seeds was reduced by desiccation, and the critical minimum moisture content of the recalcitrant Q. vulcanica acorns was found to be 11–16%. Spring sowing of sprouted acorns altered the morphology the containerized seedlings and caused the formation of significantly more main roots, but resulted in significantly less shoot height and shoot dry weight. Spring-sown sprouted acorns had also a significant advantage over the fall-sown unsprouted acorns in seedling survival, and thus nursery personnel should not be concerned if acorns sprout before sowing.     

Effects of asynchronous acorn production by co-occurring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> trees on resource utilization by acorn-feeding insects

To clarify the effects of asynchronous seed production among tree species on the population of seed predators, we investigated the relationship between the annual variation in production of mature acorns and the insect damage in those acorns of two sympatric oak species, Quercus variabilis Blume and Quercus serrata Thunb. ex Murray, over 4 years at two study sites. The annual variation in acorn production was noticeable, with a coefficient of variation (CV) at the two sites of 1.05 and 0.80 for Q. variabilis and 0.87 and 0.73 for Q. serrata. Annual fluctuation in acorn production by Q. serrata was synchronized between the two sites. Since annual fluctuation in acorn production was not synchronized between the two species, the CVs for the total acorn production by both oak species (0.83 and 0.62 at the two sites) were lower than those for Q. variabilis and Q. serrata alone. The rate of predation by the specialist predators (Curculio weevils) on the acorns of both species was not related to the annual acorn crop size. Prolonged diapause of Curculio weevils might stabilize their populations. The rate of acorn predation by the generalist predators (tortricid moths) was also not related to the annual crop size. Asynchronous acorn production by the two oak species would help to stabilize the population.     

Effects of acorn attack by curculio weevils on the germination and early growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pasania edulis</Emphasis> (Makino) seedlings

We conducted field studies to evaluate the impact that curculio weevil attacks on Pasania edulis (Fagacea) acorns have on the regeneration of this tree. The germination ratio of weevil-attacked acorns was significantly lower than that of sound acorns. The number and position of the attacks on acorns affected the germination ratio. The seedlings from weevil-attacked acorns were shorter and had a smaller leaf area than those from sound acorns. The negative effects on seedling height lasted for at least three years after germination. We also studied the handling of the two types of acorns by granivorous Apodemus mice in a broad-leaved forest dominated by P. edulis. The mice picked up, transported, hoarded, and recovered sound and weevil-attacked acorns similarly. In the study site, the seedlings from weevil-attacked acorns were estimated to account for 1.5–20.4 % of the total seedlings for cohorts of mast years and 0–3.7 % for those of poor or medium acorn production. From these results, we conclude that acorns with the lower part of their cotyledons slightly damaged by weevil larvae might still be able to contribute to the regeneration of P. edulis in the field but that their contribution would be negligible or small even in mast years in this study site.     

Pre- and post-dispersal damage to the acorns of two oak species (Quercus serrata Thunb. andQ. mongolica Fisher) in a species-rich deciduous forest

A comparative study of pre- and post-dispersal damage to the acrons of two oaks,Quercus serrata Thunb. andQ. mongolica Fischer, was done over 3 years in a species-rich deciduous forest in central Japan. The numbers of acorns bored into by moth larvae and byKobuzo rectirostris (Roelofs) was low and relatively uniform each year for both oak species, but the numbers bored into byCurculio spp. varied from year to year. The proportions of acorns attacked were independent of the density of acorns produced for both oak species. The proportions of the dispersed acorns of both oak species on the forest floor that disappeared between autumn and spring were less than 27%, and were lower for species in the stand that belong to family Fagaceae. However, by the next summer, most dispersed sound acorns had been infested by moths that specialized on post-dispersal acorns.     

Effects of flood duration and season on germination of black,cherrybark, northern red,and water oak acorns

Effects of flood duration (0, 10, 20, and 30 days) and season (winter and spring) on acorn germination were tested for two upland oaks [black and northern red oak (Quercus velutina Lam. and Q. rubra L.)] and two bottomland oaks [cherrybark and water oak (Q. pagoda Raf. and Q. nigra L.)]. Acorns were stratified for 30 days before flooding at a depth of 15 cm along the edge of a small pond. After flooding, acorns were sowed in sand-filled plastic cups and germinated for 40 days. Flood duration and season strongly affected radicle and epicotyl emergence of the upland oaks, but effects were generally limited to spring flooding. Embryo axes of the upland oak acorns were severely damaged with as little as 10 days of spring flooding. Almost no epicotyls developed, but radicles developed from the connective tissues between embryo axes and the cotyledons of many acorns. Spring flooding also significantly increased the percentage of decayed acorns for the upland oaks. In contrast, germination of the bottomland oaks was slightly improved by flooding during both seasons. Results demonstrated that the effects of flooding on the distribution of species within bottomlands can begin with seed storage and germination.     

影响白皮松种胚休眠的因素

无预处理的白皮松种子离体胚在无蔗糖和低蔗糖浓度培养基上胚根均不萌发。相同条件下带全胚乳或2／3胚乳的胚可萌发，带1／3胚乳的胚仅下胚轴伸长；经低温层积处理，变温处理，GA3处理均可提高离体胚的萌发率，相同条件下带全胚乳种胚的萌发速率低；赤霉素抑制剂对经预处理的离体胚萌发有抑制作用，乙烯抑制剂抑制作用不显著。     

不同条件下紫珠种子萌发特征研究

通过设定L9(34)3因素3水平正交试验,探究了萌发温度条件、光照条件和激素(GA3)条件.结果表明:在紫珠发芽率、发芽指数、发芽势和活性指数指标方面,温度是其影响的最主要因子,光照次之,GA3的影响相对最低,综合分析结果显示,紫珠发芽率、发芽指数、发芽势和活性指数指标最优的萌发条件组合为A3 B3 C2,即1000L...     

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol on germination of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seeds from natural and plantation forests on sandy land

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0.0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, with four replicates) on germination of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) seeds produced in plantations (southern Keerqin sandy land) and natural forests (Hulunbeier sandy plain) were observed. The results indicated that the seeds from both provenances did not germinate when PEG concentration was more than 25%. The time of initial germination and that of its completion of stressed seeds from both provenances were delayed when compared with the unstressed seeds. The germination capacity and germination rate of natural seeds were significantly higher than those of plantation seeds for all treatment levels (P < 0.05). The mean growth rates of radicle and hypocotyl from natural seeds were significantly higher than those from plantation seeds at all treatment levels below 20% PEG treatment (P < 0.05). The ratios of radicle to hypocotyl of 20% PEG treatment were significant higher than those of the corresponding controls for both provenances (P < 0.05). These results suggested that Mongolian pine seeds/seedlings had stronger resistance to PEG drought stresses; 10% PGE stress did not significantly influence germination. Natural seeds exhibited more resistance to PEG stress than plantation seeds. It was concluded that drought stress on seed germination might be one cause of obstructed natural regeneration of Mongolian pine plantations on sandy land. It is recommended that natural seeds be used for afforestation, and light drought stress (e.g., 10% PEG stress) may be useful in improving seed germination and the growth of radicles and hypocotyls.     

Recherche d'une méthode de lutte curative contre le Ciboria batschiana (Zopf) Buchwald chez les glands

Research on a curative method of control of Ciboria batschinna (Zopf) Buchwald on acorns. Cultures of Ciboria batschiana can be killed by treatment with hot water for 8 hours at 35–40°C. In infected acorns, results are similar and germination is not affected. After thermotheraphy of the acorns for 8 hours at 38°C and storage for 5–6 months, C. batschiana was killed and the acorns remained alive. A secondary microflora invaded the C.batschiana. C. batschiana isolated from acorns can attack sweetchestnut (Catstanea) fruit and vice versa.     

野扇花果肉和胚乳发芽抑制物的研究

通过采用野扇花果肉和胚乳的水浸提液对白菜种子进行发芽试验,结果表明:果肉水浸提液高浓度时显著抑制白菜种子的萌发,但低浓度时反而促进种子的萌发;胚乳水浸提液对白菜种子的萌发没有显著影响。2种水浸提液均对幼苗的根和子叶的伸展有一定的抑制作用。     

PEG模拟干旱对毛竹种子萌发及生长生理特性的影响

[目的]通过比较不同程度干旱胁迫对毛竹种子萌发及生长生理的影响,探究毛竹种子萌发期对水分胁迫的耐受机理,为毛竹的水分管理提供科学依据。[方法]以毛竹种子为试验材料,采用培养皿滤纸萌发的方法研究不同浓度(0%、5%、10%、15%、20%、25%) PEG-6000溶液对其种子萌发、生长、渗透调节物质、抗氧化酶活性的影响。并对种子萌发率、胚根和胚芽的生长量与PEG胁迫浓度间进行回归分析。[结果](1)对照组(CK)和5%处理组在第4天开始发芽,其余各处理组的发芽起始时间随处理浓度的升高逐渐延迟,25%处理组不发芽。(2)最终发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、胚根长度、胚芽长度随PEG浓度的升高呈现先增大后减小的趋势,且均在5%浓度达到最大值。干旱胁迫下毛竹种子发芽率日变化曲线中对照组和5%处理组间存在唯一交叉点。毛竹种子在PEG胁迫下发芽率的临界值和极限值分别为14. 49%和19. 27%。(3)胚根和胚芽最终长度均在5%浓度时达到最大值,其后随着浓度的升高而减小,处理间差异显著(P 0. 05)。对照组和5%处理组的胚根平均长度日变化曲线存在交叉点。PEG胁迫下胚根生长的临界值和极限值分别为20. 43和23. 01%。(4)胚根中SOD、POD、CAT的活性均随PEG浓度的升高呈先上升后下降的趋势,且分别在5%、10%、10%浓度时达到最大值。(5) MDA和可溶性蛋白含量随PEG浓度的升高而持续升高,但低浓度(0%10%)时MDA含量差异不显著。[结论]低浓度干旱胁迫抑制发芽前期毛竹种子萌发以及胚根的形成,但显著提高毛竹种子的最终发芽率并且促进胚根后期的生长;而高浓度PEG干旱胁迫延迟毛竹发芽,抑制整个发芽时期的发芽率以及胚根、胚芽的生长; PEG浓度高于15%的干旱胁迫使毛竹的抗氧化酶系统发生紊乱,并对组织膜系统造成显著伤害。     

Impacts of burial and insect infection on germination and seedling growth of acorns of Quercus variabilis

Rodents usually exert important role, through their scatter seed hoarding behavior, on plant regeneration in the field. To investigate the effects of burial and insects infection on germination and seedling growth of acorns of Quercus variabilis, perfect and infected acorns were buried in the soil among four depths, 0 cm, 4 cm, 8 cm and 12 cm, to simulate the seed hoarding behavior by rodents in the field. The results showed that (1) the germination rate were both high, under 4 cm burial depth, for perfect and infected acorns (92% and 53% separately), and decreased significantly with increased burial depth; (2) perfect acorns germinated better in 4 cm burial depth group by autumn of first year; (3) there 32% (perfect) and 26% (infected) acorns with 0 cm burial depth, on the soil surface, germinated successfully; for infected acorns, the 4 cm depth group had the best germination or seedling recruitment in both the first year and the second year; (4) acorns of Q. variabilis exhibited dormancy period ca 7 months; (5) burial, infection, and the interaction between these two factors influenced several aspects including stem height, leaf weight, Tannic acid, and biomass within seedling growth; (6) the results from this study suggest that proper burial would be helpful for the germination and seedling growth, and seedlings of shallow buried acorns had an advantage in their early development; and (7) infection by insects will not inevitably influence seedling early development.     

Influence of temperature on germination of Quercus ilex in Phytophthora cinnamomi,P. gonapodyides,P. quercina and P. psychrophila infested soils

The influence of temperature on germination of Quercus ilex acorns in Phytophthora infested soils was quantified for the first time. Radicle damage and mortality of Q. ilex seeds germinating at 17, 20, 23 and 26°C in Phytophthora cinnamomi, P. gonapodyides, P. quercina and P. psychrophila infested soils were assessed and related to in vitro mycelium growth of the same isolates of the pathogens. The optimum growth temperatures of isolates of P. cinnamomi, P. gonapodyides, P. quercina and P. psychrophila were 20–23, 23–26, 20–23 and 20°C, respectively. At 17 and 20°C, all four Phytophthora species caused 100% acorn mortality, whereas at 26°C, acorn mortality was 100, 10, 25 and 0% in P. cinnamomi, P. gonapodyides, P. quercina and P. psychrophila infested soils, respectively. At 23°C, P. cinnamomi and P. gonapodyides reduced acorn radicle length more than P. quercina and P. psychrophila, whereas at 26°C, only P. cinnamomi caused further reduction in radicle length. The higher susceptibility of germinating acorns in comparison to seedlings reported in the literature indicates age‐related susceptibility of Q. ilex to Phytophthora. The seedling/pathogen growth ratio was inversely related to the reduction in radicle length at different temperatures ( = 0.84, p < 0.0001), suggesting that rapid germination may allow seedlings to escape from infection. Increasing temperatures had different effects on damage to acorns depending on the pathogen present in the soil, indicating that Phytophthora species × temperature interactions determined Q. ilex germination. The effects of temperature on the impacts of Phytophthora species based on climate change predictions for Mediterranean countries are discussed.     

Effect of bamboo vinegar on regulation of germination and radicle growth of seed plants

 Two kinds of bamboo vinegar from madake bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) and moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) were prepared to analyze their components by gas chromatography (GC). The original vinegar, distilled vinegar, ether-extracted vinegar, and three fractions including acidic, neutral, and phenolic fractions separated from ether-extracted vinegar were diluted with distilled water 10² to 10⁷ times. These diluted vinegar solutions were used to investigate the effect of bamboo vinegar on the germination and radicle growth of seed plants. High concentrations of all kinds of treated bamboo vinegars (e.g., 10² of original vinegar and 10³ of ether-extracted vinegar) showed strong inhibition against germination of the seeds. However, an appropriate dilution of bamboo vinegar showed an obvious promotional effect on germination and radicle growth for the four kinds of tested seeds (lettuce, watercress, honewort, chrysanthemum). Received: December, 12, 2001 / Accepted: July 29, 2002 RID="*" ID="*" Part of this paper was presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 2001     

The effect of weevil and fungal attacks on the germination ofQuercus robur acorns

Oak,Quercus robur, acorns are sometines attacked by a weevil or infested by fungi (Murray, 1974). The number of acorns produced varies greatly from year to year. Acorns produced in the years between mast years may escape these weevil or fungal attacks, be dispersed and germinate.

Acorns were collected annually from 1983 to 1989 from five oak trees in southern Sweden. The percentage of acorns attacked by a weevil or fungi, or both, were monitored and the acorns' ability to germinate was tested.

Not all acorns were damaged in low crop years; the proportion of undamaged acorns varied between 33 and 69%. The proportion of weevil-attacked acorns differed significantly between the years. The proportion of acorns that were able to germinate in each category did not vary significantly between years. The germination ability was significantly higher in undamaged or fungi-infested acorns.     

Seed germination and seedling emergence of four tree species of southern China in response to acid rain

Acid rain has become a major concern due to increasing atmospheric pollution,particularly in China.We investigated whether acid rain inhibits the germination of seeds and subsequent emergence of seedling of four tree species from southern China:Cunninghamia lanceolata,Fokienia hodginisi,Pinus massoniana and Phoebe zhennan by simulating acid rain with pH of 2.5,3.5,4.5 and 5.5.We hypothesized that the inhibitory effect of acid rain on germination of seeds and emergence of seedling varies between species and the degree of acidity.A solution of 1 N H_2 SO_4 and 1 N HNO_3 in the ratio of 10-1 was prepared and diluted to four pH levels,and seeds were supplied with solutions of these pH values and distilled water as control and tested for germination in a controlled growth chamber.The results revealed that simulated acid rain of pH 2.5 adversely affected the germination capacity of F.hodginisi and P.zhennan;while all acid solutions significantly increased germination of P.Massoniana;but had no effect on germination of C.Lanceolata seeds.Strong acid solution(pH of 2.5) adversely affected elongation of radicle and hypocotyl as well as fresh and dry weights of radicle and hypocotyl of tender seedlings.The result demonstrated that seedling emergence is more sensitive than seed germination to simulated acid rain,and germination of conifer species are less sensitive than broad leaved species to simulated acid rain.As a whole,acid rain of pH of 3.5 is the threshold level and acid rain below this value will have a detrimental effect on seed germination and seedling emergence.     

干旱胁迫下沙地赤松等松科植物种子萌发特性

[目的]以北方干旱区常用的3种松科植物沙地赤松、樟子松和青海云杉为研究对象,分析其种子萌发特性及对干旱胁迫的响应。沙地赤松为辽宁省固沙研究所于2014年筛选审定的新品种,目前在辽宁省生长状况良好,尚未有过其抗旱能力的相关研究。青海共和是高寒沙区,将沙地赤松与青海省常见的两种松科植物青海云杉和樟子松进行对比,以期为沙地赤松在青海引种试种提供参考。[方法]采用不同浓度PEG-6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫的方法进行种子萌发试验,利用模糊隶属函数对干旱胁迫下3种松科植物的种子相对发芽率、相对胚根长、相对胚芽长、萌发胁迫指数、萌发抗旱指数和萌发活力指数等6项指标进行综合评价。[结果]低浓度的PEG-6000溶液对3种松科植物种子萌发和胚根生长发育均有促进作用;随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,3种松科植物的发芽率、幼苗鲜质量、活力指数、萌发胁迫指数、萌发抗旱指数均呈先上升后下降的趋势;种子萌发期耐水分胁迫能力为沙地赤松樟子松青海云杉。[结论]沙地赤松比樟子松和青海云杉的抗旱性强,适宜在青海引种试种。     

膏桐苗圃病虫害调查初报

2008年7月对镇康县和双江县膏桐苗圃进行了病虫害调查,结果显示:苗圃地内膏桐幼苗主要受到象甲、潜叶蛾、红蜘蛛、地老虎以及白粉病、膏桐实生苗猝倒病等病虫危害.其中金边翠象容易发生在农田环境中,麻风树柄细蛾在几乎所有苗圃地内零星发生,这2种害虫是膏桐苗圃地内的主要食叶害虫;膏桐白粉病是膏桐苗圃中相对普遍发生的病害,主要发生在膏桐叶片和茎干上.针对膏桐主要病虫害提出了相应的病虫害防治措施,并就膏桐产业发展的迅猛势头进行了讨论.     

Effect of bamboo vinegar on regulation of germination and radicle growth of seed plants II: composition of moso bamboo vinegar at different collection temperature and its effects

Moso bamboo vinegar was treated with extractive and separation methods. The acidic, neutral, and phenolic fractions separated from ether-extracted vinegar were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the major components in moso bamboo vinegar. The compositions of eight moso vinegar fractions collected over different temperature ranges from 100°C to 480°C were also analyzed and their effects on regulation of germination and growth were studied by bioassay with seeds of watercress and chrysanthemum. The results showed that moso bamboo vinegar fractions with collection temperatures up to 250°C promoted radicle and hypocotyl growth and this effect became larger with increasing collection temperature for chrysanthemum. Moso bamboo vinegar collected from 250°C to 400°C had a strong inhibition on germination and radicle growth for both seed types when tested at 10³ dilution.     

Regulation effect of Phyllostachys pubescens methanol extractives on growth of seed plants

Methanol extractives from moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) culms were found to have some regulation effects on the growth of the seed plants tested. They showed inhibition or promotion of hypocotyl and radicle growth of lettuce, watercress, and chrysanthemum. The methanol extractives were fractionated with n-hexane, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate. The diethyl ether-soluble fraction contained more phenolic substances than the other fractions and showed strong inhibition of growth in lettuce seeds. The water-soluble fraction showed a promotion effect on the hypocotyl growth of lettuce. The water-soluble fraction was heated at 200°C for 8h, and the inhibition effect on the radicle growth of lettuce decreased and the promotion effect on the hypocotyl growth increased at 0.1% concentration. An erratum to this article is available at .