Do ecological and silvicultural factors influence acorn mass in Holm Oak (southwestern Spain)?

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The effect of orientation, location, year, and pruning treatment on mean acorn mass in two open woodland experimental locations (Huelva, South-Western Spain) of Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp.) was analyzed during 2001–2006. Data were analyzed by using a mixed linear model, where the covariates were tree size parameters (circumference at 80 cm height, crown size), topographic position (wet index and flow length), intraspecific competition, total acorn crops per tree (weight and number), and climatic parameters. Average estimated acorn mass was 3.17 g acorn−1 in the Calañas location and 4.12 g acorn−1 in the San Bartolomé location, with significant differences between locations, among individual trees and across years. Acorns from the south sides of trees were significantly heavier than those at other positions. The effect of pruning treatment and the interactions location × treatment and treatment × year were not significant. Our study provides no evidence that pruning affects acorn mass. None of the analyzed covariates related to tree size, topographic position and intraspecific competition explained the difference among trees, suggesting that heritable factors play an important role. Specific climatic parameters during September, the most important month for acorn growth, may explain the effects of year and location × year on acorn mass. In addition, there appeared to be a “trade-off” between acorn mass and number of acorns.