Korean pine, Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.: seed quality and soil conditions for growth at the Verkhneussuriysky Forest Station (Primorsky Krai, Russia)

Abstract

This publication presents research results on Korean pine seed quality and soil conditions at the Verkhneussuriysky Forest Station of the Federal Scientifi c Center of Biodiversity FEB RAS. The purpose of research is selecting plus trees based on seed productivity. High seed quality depended on favorable soil conditions for tree growth: soils with thicker horizons rich in organic matter, with high soil enzymatic activity contributing to the transfer of elements into more accessible forms for plant nutrition. Tree No.7 had very large cones with a large number of seeds, while the empty seed yield was 42%. We believe that the 1000-kernel weight does not always refl ect the seed quality. The soil conditions under that tree were extremely unfavorable for a high quality crop. The following conditions contributed to an effi cient harvest of Korean pine seeds: higher content of mobile phosphorus in the AU horizon (tree No.4), and favorable acid/alkaline conditions for brown soil formation (Cambisols). Brown soils have high catalase enzyme activity due to abundant plant residues in the AU horizon and strong content of organic carbon, which indicates high biological activity in their surface horizons. Studying changes in optical parameters of soils within the phytogenic fi elds of model trees allowed to establish the mutual correlation between the organic carbon content and the integral refl ection of soils (R). This will allow us to use the indicator P to indicate the state of soil fertility in forest ecosystems in further research. Data showed that seed quality depends on favorable growth conditions and the location of the tree.