2021 Volume 103 Issue 6 Pages 391-394
We examined the influence of drying on the germination of Abies mariesii seeds. The germination capacity of seeds stored at 4℃ and −20℃ was also observed. Germination experiments were conducted by adjusting the moisture content of the seeds to four levels (9.9, 7.1, 6.3％, and 5.1％). The germination rate did not decrease with drying intensity, and ＞70％ of seeds germinated in all treatments. The germination rate of seeds stored at 4℃ was ＜10％ after 3 years regardless of the drying treatment. For seeds stored at −20℃, the germination rate after 3 years ranged from 48.3％ to 77.4％. These results suggest that Abies mariesii seeds can be frozen and stored at a controlled moisture content, and that storage at subzero temperatures is effective in protecting the fruiting cycle.
