journal of forest science

JOURNAL O OREST SCIENCE, 47, 2001 (7): 294–300
Analyses of seed quality and germination in the Swiss Mountain
Pine (Pinus mugo TURRA)
L. HRABÍ
Palacký University, Faculty of Pedagogy, Olomouc, Czech Republic
ABSTRACT: This paper contains specific knowledge of detailed qualitative analyses of seeds of the Swiss Mountain Pine
(Pinus mugo TURRA). Anatomical analyses, biochemical analyses and tests of germination were realized in 19 different
individuals (from 19 areas) during four years of study. Uncommon results were obtained – incompletely developed embryos,
polyembryony and abnormally germinating seeds.
Keywords: seeds of Swiss Mountain Pine; detailed analyses; incompletely developed seeds; polyembryony; abnormally
germinating seeds
or many years nongerminating seeds or seeds with
low germination have accounted for a large portion of
Swiss Mountain Pine seed production (JURÁSEK et al.
1992; LOKVENC, ŠTURSA 1985). Some authors tried to
stimulate seed germination by different physical and
chemical methods (GOLJADKIN 1972; WORKS, BOVO
1972). Their future practical use has not been verified
yet, and there is not much information about morphological,
biochemical and cytogenetic seed analyses (BEW-
LEY, BLACK 1986).
The condition of the morphologically developed Swiss
Mountain Pine seed is that the embryo takes more than
2/3 of the axial duct length (KHAN 1977). According to
BEWLEY and BLACK (1986), ŠÈERBAKOVA (1966) nonvital
seeds are those in which the polyembryony exist.
Morphological changes are probably connected with biochemical
processes. The seed quality is investigated by
the biochemical tetrazolium test (ÈSN 48 1211 Zkoušky
jakosti plodù a semen lesních døevin [ruit and Seed
Quality Tests in orest Tree Species]; REHAP 1983).
Other methods are based on quantitative and qualitative
changes of saccharides in seeds (SIMANÈÍK 1967). It is
only known from the cytogenetic analysis that plant species
with big cell nuclei and low number of chromosomes
are more sensitive to UV (ultraviolet) radiation than those
with small nuclei and high chromosome number
(KOVÁÈIK et al. 1976), and that a standard karyotype of
the Swiss Mountain Pine contains 24 chromosomes
(PAZOURKOVÁ, PAZOUREK 1960).
It is clear according to the above-mentioned information
that no complex qualitative investigation of the Swiss
Mountain Pine seeds has been made until now. That is
why the aim of this experimental investigation was to
study the vitality and quality of seeds and germination
processes.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The investigation was carried out for 4 years. Seeds
from 19 individuals and from 19 areas of the Krkonoše
Mts. (altitude 1,100–1,530 m a.s.l.) were examined. The
origin of seed samples is given at the end of the Results
section. After collection, seed extraction at 45°C and
dewinging the seed analyses were made:
a) content of full seeds (4 × 100 from each sample), according
to the Standard ÈSN 48 2111 Jakost plodù
a semen lesních døevin (ruit and Seed Quality in orest
Tree Species);
b) anatomical structure – content of vital and nonvital
seeds (4 × 100 from each sample), analysed at the longitudinal
section under a stereomicroscope Olympus
(magnified 5 times), as nonvital were considered seeds
with small embryos – smaller than 2/3 of the longitudinal
length of the axial duct and seeds with 2 and more
embryos – polyembryony;
c) biochemical analysis – study of seed vitality in tetrazolium
solution (prepared and applied according to the
Standard ÈSN 48 2111); the development and colour
were examined at a longitudinal section (4 × 100 seeds
of each sample) under a stereomicroscope Olympus
(magnified 5 times); nonvital seeds had other than red
colour;
d) after these anatomical and biochemical analyses of
each sample, the tests of germination (according to the
294 J. FOR. SCI., 47, 2001 (7): 294–300