Comparative study of the fullness of dwarf Siberian pine seeds <em>Pinus pumila</em> (Pall.) Regel from places of natural growth and collected from plants introduced in northwestern Russia by microfocus X-ray radiography to predict their sowing qualities

Abstract

As a result of analysis of the quality of Pinus pumila seeds by the method of microfocus X-ray radiography in combination with the automatic analysis of digital X-ray images, it was found that the best characteristics of individual structures and organs of seeds were demonstrated in samples collected from trees growing at site 71 of BIN RAS; the worst — from seeds taken from South Sakhalin. The seeding qualities of Pinus pumila seed samples were determined by standard methods. Based on analysis of the characteristics of digital X-ray images of Pinus pumila seeds, it was found that a seed sample from site 71 BIN RAS was characterized by the high level of embryo area 4.19±0.49 mm2, maximum embryo to thalus ratio 60.95±7.45 %, high level of endosperm area 23.93±1.24 mm2, and maximum ratio square of embryo area 9.45 ±1.17 %. The same sample was characterized by a maximum weight of 1000 seeds and a maximum absolute and soil germination ratio, compared to other samples. The obtained data showed that Pinus pumila seeds collected from plants introduced in northwestern Russia by most parameters are not inferior or are even superior to seeds from the natural range.