Estimating seed quantity and quality in shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) cones from natural stands

The quantity and quality of seeds were studied in 886 shortleaf pine cones collected from 48 trees in each of two 15-ha natural stands in western Arkansas, USA. The number of seeds per cone ranged from 0 to 102, and averaged 34.6 and 38.0 in the two stands. Between 30 and 50 percent of the seeds were sound. Overall mean values for total number and total sound seeds compare with previous work. However, the wide variation between individual trees in a stand needs to be considered when evaluating cone abundance and estimating potential seed yields. For the stands observed in this study, a sample of 65 to 85 cones would be needed to estimate the number of sound seeds per cone (within ±3 seeds) with 95 percent probability. Sampling 1 or 2 cones from each of about 3 trees per ha would provide a reliable estimate of sound seed contents.     

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.     

Natural Variation in Seed Characteristics of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.)

Natural variation in seed characteristics of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) trees and its relationship with the size, form, and crown class of parent trees was examined in second-growth, white pine mixedwood stands in Ontario. Cones were collected prior to and following partial harvesting of two stands during 2 years of above-average seed production. Fully enlarged seed extracted from mature cones was X-rayed to determine seed yield per cone, the percentage of sound, partially filled, and empty seed, and the sound seed mass for each tree. Variation in seed yield per cone, the proportion of sound, partially filled, and empty seed, and seed mass was much greater among individuals than between stands or seed years. The strength and significance of the relationship of seed mass with sound seed yield differed with stand and seed year. In uncut stands, seed mass was higher for trees with dominant crown class, larger live crown ratios, and smaller height to diameter ratios, suggesting tree vigour and microsite quality influence seed mass. Proportion of partially filled seeds was significantly reduced in both stands in the second year likely due to increased growing degree days during female gametophyte development. The implications of these results to natural and artificial regeneration of white pine are discussed.     

Seasonal Trends in Abundance, Diet and Breeding of Common Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) in an Area of Mixed Species Conifer Plantation Following the 1990 Crossbill 'Irruption'

Crossbills increased in abundance on lower Deeside, north-eastScotland, from July 1990 through the autumn, remaining numerousuntil the following June. Flock size initially increased, butdecreased towards late winter as breeding began. The timingof the population increase, and the sizes of the birds' billssuggested they were mainly immigrant Loxia curvirostra. Theirdiet changed seasonally in a pattern that could be explainedby the seed weight, cone toughness and seedfall phenology ofthe predominant conifers present. No breeding was recorded inautumn and winter when the birds were mainly feeding on Sitkaspruce, but commenced in early spring as they shifted to Scotspine. Breeding was late, and production poor, probably becauseonly some of the birds had large enough bills to feed efficientlyfrom the robust cones of Scots pine. It is argued that plantationforestry, by providing a novel range of conifer seeds, couldaffect selection for bill size in British crossbill populations.     

福建柏优树选择及种实表型变异研究

在调查研究福建柏资源基础上,制定了福建柏优树选择方法,于1998年6～11月和1999年7～11月在福建省福建柏自然分布区和栽培区以及湖南省道县福建柏天然林中选择出优树175株,其中从天然林中选出57株,从人工林中选出118株。这些优树总体表现较好,生长量大,平均树高、胸径、材积分别为15 49m、28 6cm和0 51263m3,树干通直圆满,树体健康,无病虫害,平均树龄为35 3a。1999年10～11月,采集到129株优树的球果,测定了各优树的种子千粒重、球果出籽率、球果重、球果长、球果宽、球果长×球果宽、球果长/球果宽和苞鳞数等8个指标,结果表明各优树在种实性状上差异比较大,差异最大的是球果重,平均单果重2 757g,变幅为1 342～4 748g,变异系数为27 86%;平均千粒重为6 378g,变幅为3 647～11 349g;平均出籽率为2 56%,变幅为1 62%～4 79%;球果大小相差较大,球果近球形但略长些。相关分析表明,优树各种实性状间的相关性大都达到极显著水平,千粒重与球果重量、大小呈密切的正相关,与出籽率、苞鳞数及球果形状关系不大;出籽率与其他种实性状间相关性很小,可能是个独立的性状;单果重与苞鳞数及球果大小呈高度的正相关关系,与球果形状没有关系。收集选出的175株优树中的162株,在福建省安溪白濑国有林场建成了全国第一个福建柏种?     

Seed-cone receptivity and seed production potential in white spruce

Three to five ramets were selected from each of five white spruce clones for the study. Seed cones (megastrobili) were pollinated once and some were sampled at the different stages of development to study the pollination mechanism, seed-cone receptivity, and seed production potential.The proximal end of a seed cone emerged from the bud scales and was the area to be receptive first. As the seed cones continued to develop, the margins of the cone scales became reflexed to increase the surface area and to funnel pollen along the margins of two adjacent scales onto the micropylar arms. Pollen was transferred to a deep depression in the nucellus and it germinated in the depression a weel after pollination. Another week later the micropyle was sealed by the ingrowth and divisions of the cells in the micropylar canal. Receptivity of a seed cone lasted for about 10 days and the end of receptivity was signalled by the closure of cone scales.The optimal receptivity appeared to occur when seed cones approached the end of receptivity and this coincided with the peak of pollen shedding. It was evident that seed cones pollinated at this stage produced the most filled seeds, an average of 41.6 from a seed production potential of 88 seeds per cone. Total cone scales averaged 67.7 per cone of which 43.6 scales were fertile and located at the mid-portion of a cone.     

Genetic variation in fruitfulness in a hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) seed orchard and its impact on the maintenance of genetic diversity in seedlots

Genetic variation in seed/cone production among clones was studied in a hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) seed orchard containing 25 plus-trees by analyzing the number of cones, the yield of cones and seeds of individual ramets for 5 successive years (1982 to 1986). There was significant variation among clones each year and parental contribution in the seed orchard. Specifically, in the years 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986, 20% of the clones produced 37.2, 60.6, 36.0, 44.3, and 44.8% of the total cones, respectively. The size of the crop greatly influenced the parental balance in the resulting seed/cone crops. The product moment correlation coefficients and Spearman’s coefficients of rank correlation were small and insignificant between consecutive years, but large and highly significant between alternate years, suggesting the presence of carry-over effects in seed/cone production. The broad-sense heritability on a clone mean basis was 0.74 ± 0.15 for the number of cones, 0.72 ± 0.14 for the yield of cones, and 0.68 ± 0.13 for the yield of seeds. The corresponding heritabilities from analyses combined over all years were 0.24, 0.558, and 0.724, respectively. These results indicate that seed/cone production in hinoki is under strong genetic control. Several managerial measures are discussed that maintain the genetic diversity in seedlots used for reforestation, by reducing the variation in seed/cone production among clones and producing seed crops with equal contributions from all parents.     

Seed rain of ponderosa pine beneath partial overstories

An analysis was conducted of the 1999 ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) seed crop at two stands of differing overstory density in each of two sites that differed in productivity (forest community series) on the east slope of the Cascade Range in central Oregon, USA. A total 2,166 viable seeds were collected between 2 September 1999 and 6 June 2000. Total seed quantities varied more by site than by tree density, with the xeric site producing six-fold greater seed yields. Within each site, the stand of higher density produced more viable seed. Per-tree cone yields were also greater at the site of lesser productivity. At three of the four stands, tree fecundity (as measured by cone counts) was positively related to diameter at breast height and height, but not to live crown ratio. A difference in temporal seedfall patterns among the two sites occurred late and was relatively minor: most seedfall occurred within the first month after it started regardless of absolute seed production. Seedfall distribution varied spatially within stands, but no seed trap (of 55) received less than an equivalent 28 thousand seeds per hectare. Seedfall was not perceived to be a limiting factor on natural regeneration at any of the four partial-overstory stands in this study.     

Cone and seed production from stone pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinea</Emphasis> L.) stands in Central Range (Spain)

Natural regeneration of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) stands in the Central Range of Spain can be difficult to attain. The success of this regeneration is affected by factors such as the total amount of seed available, the short dispersal ability of the pinyon, the conditions required for germination, specific problems associated with the establishment, early survival of the seedlings due to severe summer heat and drought, competition for water and mineral resources and grazing damage. This study focuses on seed availability. The amount of available seeds depends on the number and size of the cones and the number of viable pinyons within the cones. In stone pine stands, both variables show great year to year variability. Both cone and seed production, for a given year, are also conditioned by the vigour and health of the tree, its size, the condition and attributes of the stand and the loss of seed through pests or predation. In this study, the main factors which influence cone and pinyon production are identified and a multivariate model to predict annual cone and viable seed production is developed. To consider the correlation among observations coming from the same tree, stand or year, random components are included in the model. The multivariate random structure allows for future calibration of the model for a given year from a small additional sample of observations. It is important to know the total amount of viable seed produced in a stand for a given year since regeneration cuttings for Stone pine should be concentrated in high crop years.     

侧柏冠型自然变异和种实性状的观测

以庭院栽植的侧柏为观测材料,对其冠型自然变异和种实性状进行观测与分析,结果表明:冠型自然变异可分为宽冠密果型、宽冠稀果型和窄冠稀果型,宽冠类型的冠幅为3.4 m,窄冠类型的冠幅为2.1 m;密果类型着生球果109～138枚·m-1,稀果类型为18～23枚·m-1.成熟球果颜色均为紫褐色,每枚球果有种子2～7粒,以4、5...     

Mycoflora associated with slash-pine seeds from cones collected at seed orchards and cone-processing facilities in the south-eastern USA1

A diverse mycoflora was associated with slash-pine seeds from cones obtained at seed orchards and cone-processing facilities in the southeastern USA. Potentially pathogenic fungi, including Lasiodiplodia tbeobromae, Sphaeropsis sapinea, and Fusarium spp., were isolated from seeds of cones obtained at all locations. Fusarium proliferatum and F. semitectum were the Fusarium spp. most often associated with seeds; F. subglutinans was rarely isolated. Many other species of fungi were associated with seeds from all locations. Incidence of fungus-damaged seeds ranged from 2 to 11% among collection sites. Disease incidence was found to increase during cone storage. Types of fungi and the incidence of fungus-damaged seeds were similar for damaged/discoloured cones and apparently healthy cones. The potential for slash-pine seeds to become colonized by pathogenic fungi, such as S. sapinea and the various Fusarium spp., could have important implications for the establishment of these fungi in forest-tree nurseries, as well as their introduction into foreign countries.     

Effects of artificial environmental conditions on anatomical and physiological ripening of Pinus sylvestris L. seeds

To determine suitable conditions for artificial ripening of Scots pine seeds, cones collected on seven occasions between August 6 and November 26, 1990, in northern Sweden, were subjected to artificial ripening at different temperatures (+5°–+15°C) and cone moisture contents for 3–9 weeks. Complete physiological ripening and improved seed vigour were attained after artificial ripening if collection occurred no earlier than the beginning of September. The highest germination percentage after artificial ripening, ca 90%, was achieved for seeds collected after the anatomical ripening in nature had ceased and was at least as high as for seeds ripened in nature. Temperature did not influence ripening, whereas a low cone moisture content impaired ripening of those seeds collected earliest. The germination percentage was not influenced by 2–6 months of cone storage subsequent to artificial ripening, but seed vigour was impaired. Anatomical ripening during artificial ripening was very limited.     

Seed cone abortion and full seed production in an indoor seed orchard with potted grafts of Picea abies

Abortion of seed cones and production of full seeds have been recorded in an indoor‐potted Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seed orchard at Biri nursery in Norway. Seed cone buds aborted their normal development at much higher frequencies (22–45%) inside isolation bags than in an open‐air (4–12%) greenhouse environment. The grafts had been induced to flower the year prior to seed cone development. Treatment with gibberellin A_4/7 in conjunction with heat reduced the proportion of aborted, isolated flowers (13%) compared to treatment with heat alone (22%) in a clonally balanced material. The production of full seeds per cone increased from 3 in 1987 to 50 in 1991. The full seed production is discussed in relation to methods and timing of pollen forcing. It is anticipated that 1 kg of seeds could be produced annually in a 1250 m² greenhouse.     

Effect of flowering phenology,date of cone collection,cone-storage treatment and seed pretreatment on yield and germination of seeds from a Douglas-Fir seed orchard

The effects of reproductive phenology, date of cone harvest, cone storage and seed pretreatment on yield and germination of seeds from a Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seed orchard were studied. Flowering phenology (early, intermediate or late) had no discernible effect on seed maturation. Higher germination and yields of filled seeds were obtained from cones collected in mid-August, approximately 2 weeks prior to cone opening, than from cones collected just as they began to open. Seeds extracted immediately following harvest germinated better than those from cones stored for 2 months. Seeds from all treatments were dormant and responded to prechilling by exhibiting increased germination rates. The implications of these findings for cone-crop management are discussed.     

对球果损失造成油松良种减产的分析

调查了油松种子园、母树林良种减产的原因，主要是由于球果在生长发育过程中的大量损失；而虫害、雌花授粉不良、因缺少水肥造成的落花落果是油松球果损失的主要原因。同时提出了减少球果损失的几点技术措施。     

Promotion of seed production in Douglas-fir grafts by girdling + gibberellin A4/7 stem injection,and effect of retreatment

Twelve- to 17-year-old Douglas-fir grafts, which in 1985 received no treatment, stem girdles only (G), or girdles plus stem injection of gibberellin A_4/7 (G + GA) at vegetative bud burst, were in 1987 retreated with G + GA or left untreated. Tree were untreated in 1986 and cone production the following year was very sparse. G + GA treatment in 1987 increased the 1988 production of seed cones from 465 to 1600 per tree, with a comparable increase in frequency of grafts producing a heavy crop of pollen cones. However, induction treatments applied in 1985 adversely affected seed- and pollen-cone production in 1988, independent of treatment in 1987. Cone size, total and filled seed per cone, and seed germination were little affected by treatment either year. Treatment with G + GA in 1987 only maximized the production of filled seeds (48 100/tree), although G + GA in both 1985 and 1987 (31 200/tree) was still highly effective relative to no treatment in either year (14 700/tree). The G + GA treatment adversely affected tree condition more severely than previously (or since) experienced, probably as a consequence of grafts also being subjected to prolonged late-summer droughts during each of the treatment years.     

Effect of thinning intensity on tree growth and temporal variation of seed and cone production in a Pinus koraiensis plantation

Thinning of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) is used to facilitate timber and cone production. The present study in Northeast China investigated the effects of thinning intensity on individual tree growth, temporal variation in cone yield, and seed quality in Korean pine plantation. In 2005, five thinning intensity levels (none, extreme, heavy, moderate and light) were set in 15 permanent plots in a 32-year-old Korean pine plantation at Mengjiagang Forest Farm, Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province. We recorded tree growth and seed cone production from 2013 to 2016, i.e., from 8 to 11 years after thinning. Except for height growth, thinning increased tree growth (diameter at breast height and crown size) and improved cone yield. The extreme thinning treatment (to 300 trees per hectare) resulted in the largest tree diameter, tree volume, crown size and 4-year cone production per tree. The highest cone yield per tree in the mast year (2014) was observed when stands were thinned to 500 trees per hectare (heavy thinning). Although the best cone and seed quality and the largest cone and seed mass per tree were recorded in the heavily thinned stand, no significant differences were found between heavy and moderate thinning stands (750 trees per hectare). At the stand level, the moderately thinned stand had the highest basal area, stock volume and seed cone production per stand. Our results suggest that thinning to 750 trees per hectare will improve timber and cone productivity in 40-year-old P. koraiensis stands.     

Tree density and site quality influence on Pinus halepensis Mill. reproductive characteristics after large fires

In Spain, many Pinus halepensis Mill. forests have been seriously affected by significant forest fires in the past decade, in 1994 alone, more than 100 000 ha were burned in Eastern Spain. In order to study the reproductive characteristics of P. halepensis after forest fires, six locations were selected in four areas affected by serious fires in the summer of 1994, and the following different precipitation zones were studied: dry-subhumid, dry and semi-arid. Ten years after the fires, data relevant to the production of pine cones: serotinous (grey), mature (brown), immature (green) and opened cones, was collected from areas with natural post-fire regeneration. Various cone and seed characteristics, such as pine cone seed number and weight, and germination percentage, were measured. The results showed greater production of cones and strobili in high-density sites. The biggest cone sizes (volume) and seed number per cone were related to site quality (dry-subhumid precipitation zone). Also, viability and germination percentages were higher with better site quality, with significant differences in values for serotinous and non-serotinous cones. Despite these differences, the canopy seed bank was large enough to ensure regeneration in this area for this age stand.     

马尾松球果烘干脱粒工艺试验

使用ＩＨＴ－８５型球果烘干机进行马尾松球果烘干脱粒,采用变温烘干,持续２０小时,定时换筛和筛选种子,出籽率可达１．８６％,处理后的种子发芽率达８９．７％,种子脱粒成本为６．９７元／ｋｇ。     

杉木种子园种子产量预测预报模型研究

林木种子是林业生产的物质基础,种子产量的预测预报是实现林木种子生产科学管理的重要基础性工作。随着预测超前性、简便实用性和精度要求的不断提高,多种预测方法便应运而生（方升佐,１９９０;陈幼生,１９９３）［１,２］。笔者结合杉木［Ｃｕｎｎｉｎｇｈａｍｉａ...