The water relations of seed pretreatments and their effects on the germination of radiata pine seeds

TL;DRAbstract

Seeds sown in Pinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine, Monterey pine) nurseries are generally the culmination of generations of breeding and selection. Seed germination characteristics have no generally been of high significance to the breeding programme and seedling emergence from valuable seeds is often low and variable. Seed pretreatrnents are sometimes used in an attempt to overcome variation in seed quality and to achieve best possible germination. The present study investigated commonly used seed pretreatments and their effect on the germination of Pinus radiata seeds in laboratory, glasshouse and field conditions. Current nursery practice is to soak seeds at or near room temperature prior to sowing. In this study it was found that soaking decreased the time to emergence in the laboratory and field but damage occurred to some seedlots when soaked. Dissolved oxygen in soak water was depleted rapidly during soaking and damage was prevented when soak water was aerated throughout soaking.

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