Germination capacity of seeds and initial development of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings in various soil layers.

摘要

This study was conducted in Lithuania to determine the germination capacity of pine (Pinus sylvestris) seeds and initial development of seedlings in different genetic soil horizons (viz., forest litter, humus horizon, iluvial horizon in the furrow slice, iluvial horizon on furrow bottom, and forest litter mixed with humus and iluvial horizon), as well as the possibilities to change environmental conditions and their influence on plants by mechanical mineralization of soil surface and mixing of soil genetic horizons. The most favourable germination was achieved by one-year-old stratified seeds covered on furrow bottom. The highest Scots pine seed germination capacity was achieved at the humus horizon. The pine seeds in the humus or iluvial horizons in hillocks did not germinate. Insertion of pine seeds into the soil increased their germinative capacity. Differences in seedling development in various soil genetic horizons were not statistically significant. More intensive seedling development was observed in the humus horizon as well as in the litter mixed with humus and illuvial horizon. Additional seed stratification positively influenced pine seed germinative ability but no essential influence on further seedling development was observed. Seed age is an essential factor limiting their germinative ability and seedling development..