ZLV Online

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determinate a more accurate, pre-sowing treatment of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) seeds. The current pre-sowing treatment of beechnuts is based on a germination test where the duration of the pre-sowing treatment is the time from the start of the germination test until 10% of the viable beechnuts have germinated. Because seed dormancy of seed lots is variable, the duration of pre-sowing treatment is prolonged by two more weeks. In our research we extended the treatment time until 30, 50 and 80% of the viable beechnuts had germinated. Two different methods were used for the research. In the first, the beechnuts had been left at high moisture content (14-38%), than sown after applying different pre-sowing treatments (10, 30, 50, and 80% germinated, viable seeds). In the second, the beechnuts had been dried to low moisture content (8-10%), than sown after applying different pre-sowing treatments (10, 30, 50, and 80% germinated, viable seeds). The mean germination time (MGT) of fresh seeds was higher for beechnuts that had been dried. However, emergence of the beechnuts was similar in both treatments. In both cases the impact of the different pre-sowing treatments on germination and emergence of beechnuts was insignificant. The results show that it is possible to extend the pre-sowing treatment of beechnuts without having a negative effect on the emergence and mortality rate regardless of the seed lots used.