ZLV Online

Abstract

Artificial forest regeneration can significantly help to increase the share of silver fir. The process starts with the collection and handling of cones and seeds. In this study, a way was sought to promote the emergence of fir seedlings and thus effectively use the seeds for growing planting stock. The seeds were stratified over 7 weeks at the temperature of 3°C. Hydroabsorbent was added to the substrate in order to increase its moisture content. Both substrate treatments with and without the amendment underwent following watering regimes: 0 – no irrigation, 1 – irrigation once a week, and 2 – irrigation twice a week. Prior to seeding, all treatments were wetted initially as 5 liters of water were poured into one box with the substrate. Then plant emerging rates were monitored weekly over 5 weeks. The positive effect of the added hydroabsorbent was found only in the treatment with initial wetting without additional irrigation. The highest seedling emergency rate was found in substrate without super-absorbent, which was irrigated once a week.