Impact of Storage on Viability of White Spruce Seed


Samples of seed of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) from 36 individual trees, collected in 1974 from 5 provenances in Ontario, Canada, were placed in frozen storage at -20 ˚C (-4 ˚F) in 1977 and in storage at 4 ˚C (39 ˚F) in 1982. Seed was removed from both storage temperatures and tested in 2002 and 2005. Seed moisture content increased on average, whereas average germination remained the same or declined slightly after storage at -20 ˚C (-4 ˚F) for 25 and 28 yr. For the same seedlots stored at 4 ˚C (39 ˚F) for 20 and 23 yr, seed moisture content also increased on average, whereas mean germination declined drastically. Seed moisture content exceeding 8.5 percent negatively impacted germination of seed stored at both temperatures. Seed stored at -20 ˚C (-4 ˚F) germinated faster than seed stored at 4 ˚C (39 ˚F). These results demonstrate the long-term storage potential of white spruce seed stored at -20 ˚C (-4 ˚F).
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Publication Tree Planters' Notes
Event 2008
Section 1
Author Dale Simpson, Bernard Diagle, and Darren Hayes
Volume 52
Number 2
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