Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and Germination
The evaluation of the diversity of silver fir (<i>Abies alba</i> Mill.) populations and the reproductive traits of the trees are of great importance for the conservation of genetic resources and forest management. Therefore, important reproductive characteristics of <i>A. alba</...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2186 |
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| author | Irina M. Morar Catalina Dan Radu E. Sestras Roxana L. Stoian-Dod Alina M. Truta Adriana F. Sestras Paul Sestras |
| author_facet | Irina M. Morar Catalina Dan Radu E. Sestras Roxana L. Stoian-Dod Alina M. Truta Adriana F. Sestras Paul Sestras |
| author_sort | Irina M. Morar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The evaluation of the diversity of silver fir (<i>Abies alba</i> Mill.) populations and the reproductive traits of the trees are of great importance for the conservation of genetic resources and forest management. Therefore, important reproductive characteristics of <i>A. alba</i> from seven Romanian provenances, considered as different geographical populations, were evaluated. Significant differences between the provenances were observed for the female cones, seed morphology, and germination. Due to the relatively low germination of silver fir seeds, germination tests were conducted to identify treatments that can stimulate the germination capacity. Thus, the seed germination capacity was determined using four different stimulation treatments and the data were compared with those of untreated seeds, designed as the control. Considerable differences were recorded not only depending on the seed provenances, but also regarding the treatments applied to stimulate germination (Atonik biostimulator, scarification, acetone, H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>). The biostimulator seed treatment gave the highest germination percentage, while sulfuric acid caused the lowest germination. The research also revealed that not all the forest seed sources provide high-quality reproductive material. Furthermore, for some of the seed resources, even the germination stimulation treatments did not result in adequate germination. The findings are pertinent and valuable for identifying suitable forest populations as seed sources, as well as for their use in silver fir reforestation programs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3135125c05944c73845840b1cde83b59 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-3135125c05944c73845840b1cde83b592023-11-24T14:42:37ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072023-11-011411218610.3390/f14112186Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and GerminationIrina M. Morar0Catalina Dan1Radu E. Sestras2Roxana L. Stoian-Dod3Alina M. Truta4Adriana F. Sestras5Paul Sestras6Department of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Horticulture and Landscape, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Horticulture and Landscape, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Horticulture and Landscape, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaThe evaluation of the diversity of silver fir (<i>Abies alba</i> Mill.) populations and the reproductive traits of the trees are of great importance for the conservation of genetic resources and forest management. Therefore, important reproductive characteristics of <i>A. alba</i> from seven Romanian provenances, considered as different geographical populations, were evaluated. Significant differences between the provenances were observed for the female cones, seed morphology, and germination. Due to the relatively low germination of silver fir seeds, germination tests were conducted to identify treatments that can stimulate the germination capacity. Thus, the seed germination capacity was determined using four different stimulation treatments and the data were compared with those of untreated seeds, designed as the control. Considerable differences were recorded not only depending on the seed provenances, but also regarding the treatments applied to stimulate germination (Atonik biostimulator, scarification, acetone, H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>). The biostimulator seed treatment gave the highest germination percentage, while sulfuric acid caused the lowest germination. The research also revealed that not all the forest seed sources provide high-quality reproductive material. Furthermore, for some of the seed resources, even the germination stimulation treatments did not result in adequate germination. The findings are pertinent and valuable for identifying suitable forest populations as seed sources, as well as for their use in silver fir reforestation programs.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2186conifersdiversitygenetic resourcegermination capacitylocal populations |
| spellingShingle | Irina M. Morar Catalina Dan Radu E. Sestras Roxana L. Stoian-Dod Alina M. Truta Adriana F. Sestras Paul Sestras Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and Germination Forests conifers diversity genetic resource germination capacity local populations |
| title | Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and Germination |
| title_full | Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and Germination |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and Germination |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and Germination |
| title_short | Evaluation of Different Geographic Provenances of Silver Fir (<i>Abies alba</i>) as Seed Sources, Based on Seed Traits and Germination |
| title_sort | evaluation of different geographic provenances of silver fir i abies alba i as seed sources based on seed traits and germination |
| topic | conifers diversity genetic resource germination capacity local populations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2186 |
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