Testing of germination of spruce, pine and larch seed after 10 years from collection

Abstract

:Germination capacity and germination energy are usually the most frequently used quantitative parameters of forest tree seed. With seed ageing both parameters decreased and the rate of the collapse is given by tree species, age of tree and its seed and biotic and abiotic factors. Relatively little attention has been paid to the age of seed. As it was found, the longevity of the main tree species remained relatively high, and spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karsten and pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) from the investigated areas across the Czech Republic maintained minimally one third of germination capacity or germination energy during the 10 years with the exception of larch (Larix decidua Mill.) where germination capacity decreased almost to zero after 10 years. Although the germination energy and germination capacity decreased significantly, it is possible to use the seed in the case of shortage of the seed of better quality.