Collection age and seed mass influence germination and seedling growth in midwestern white spruce accessions
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2021
Department/School
Biology
Publication Title
Forest Science
Abstract
Stored tree seed collections are essential resources for seedling production and conserving unique germplasm. As stored seeds age, however, seed viability and seedling vigor can decline. This study tests how age and seed mass correspond to germination dynamics and seedling vigor in four white spruce collections from the upper midwestern United States. Using two seedling growth experiments, this study demonstrates that white spruce seeds stored for >30 years have low seed viability and slower seedling growth rates compared with seeds from more recent (≤10 years) white spruce collections. Seed mass also predicted seedling growth rate regardless of collection age, suggesting larger seeds from older collections generate faster growing seedlings.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Connolly, B. M. (2021). Collection age and seed mass influence germination and seedling growth in midwestern white spruce accessions. Forest Science, 67(6), 637–641. https://doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxab038