RNGR.net is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Regional Extension Forestry and is a colloborative effort between these two agencies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Extension Forestry Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Home → Publications → Tree Planters' Notes → Tree Planters' Notes Volume 56, Number 2 (2013) → Germination Trials for Asian and North American Ash Species

Germination Trials for Asian and North American Ash Species

North American ash trees (genus Fraxinus) have been affected by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; EAB), an aggressive, invasive insect native to southeastern Asia; native Asian ash species are comparatively resistant to this phloem-feeding insect. Little research exists on optimal growing conditions for germinating seeds from various ash species, aside from those with the widest natural ranges. The objective for this research was to evaluate the effects of temperature, photoperiod, and seed scarification on germination of nine ash species. Germination rates and percentages were evaluated under three test conditions (controlled environment, agar-based solid medium, and potting mix). Chinese and green ash seeds germinated the best, while black, blue, common, and Manchurian ash seeds had the lowest germination rates across all three tests. Optimized germination techniques for ash will enable research into the EAB resistance mechanism of some ash species. In addition, North American nurseries may be able to use the information presented here to more efficiently grow Asian or other ash species that may be resistant to EAB.


Download this file:

PDF document Download this file — PDF document, 825Kb

Details

Author(s): Darla French, Richard Meilan

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 56, Number 2 (2013)

Volume: 56

Number: 2