Greenhouse Germination Trials of Pelletized Western Redcedar and Red Alder Seeds

McKinney, S. T. and Tomback, D. F. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37:1044-1057. 2007.

Pelletized western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) seeds exhibited lower total germination and delayed germination speed (G50 or days to 50% germination) when compared to non-pelletized “raw” seeds in greenhouse trials. Averaged across two lots of western redcedar, pelletizing decreased total germination from 81% to 76% and delayed germination by 2 days. Averaged across four lots of red alder, pelletizing decreased germination from 78% to 68% and delayed germination by 7 days. It is logistically difficult to both stratify and pelletize seeds. Western redcedar often receives a stratification treatment in practice, even though none is recommended in standard protocols. Lab tests conducted on four lots of 21-day stratified versus non-stratified seeds showed no change in total germination and only a 2.5-day delay in germination speed, suggesting a lack of dormancy in western redcedar. Given the efficiencies gained in mechanical sowing and subsequent thinning operations, pelletizing is a cost effective decision for the light, irregular-shaped seeds of these species. Keywords: pelletized seeds, Thuja plicata, Alnus rubra

Download this file:

Download this file

Details

Author(s): Nabil Khadduri

Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 2006

Event: Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Meeting
2006 - Eugene, OR