Aspen Bibliography

Longevity of Seed and Establishment of Seedlings in Species of Populus

E.H. Moss

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Botanical Gazette

Volume

99

Issue

3

First Page

529

Last Page

542

Publication Date

1938

Abstract

1. The more important results were obtained with the aspen (Populus tremuloides), the balsam poplar (P. balsamifera), and the Russian poplar (P. petrowskyana). 2. Aspen seeds stored in open dishes in the laboratory usually gave 100 per cent vigorous germination at the end of four weeks and 45 per cent vigorous germination at the end of eight weeks, after which viability was quickly lost. 3. Balsam poplar resembles the aspen in longevity of seed, while the Russian poplar has a somewhat longer period of viability under the same conditions. 4. There is a striking correlation between longevity and the humidity of the atmosphere during storage. The optimum relative humidity for longevity appears to be approximately 10 per cent. With increase in relative humidity there is a reduction in longevity. Loss of viability is extremely rapid when seeds are exposed to the more humid atmospheric conditions. 5. Seeds stored at -5⚬ C. exhibit marked extension of longevity. Seeds stored over calcium chloride at -5⚬ C. show remarkable prolongation of life. Even after two years seeds of Russian poplar thus treated gave 70 per cent vigorous germination. 6. It is concluded that longevity of poplar seeds under natural conditions in central Alberta is from two to four weeks, varying with the species, the season, and local environmental conditions. 7. There is considerable evidence that establishment of poplar seedlings under natural conditions occurs only when the surface layer of the soil is continuously moist during at least the first week of their growth. This is due to the slow growth into the soil of the primary root and also to absorption being largely dependent upon a brush of delicate hairs near the soil surface.

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS