Effects of light and temperature on seed germination of Picea asperata and Betula albo-sinensis

Abstract

Abstract: The effects of different light and temperature conditions on seed germination of two keystone species (Picea asperata and Betula albo-sinensis) in subalpine coniferous forests were studied by simulating environmental conditions in climatic chambers.The results indicated that the optimal temperature of seed germination for both species was 25 ℃,with the germination rate of 88.8±8.4% and 30.8±10.4%,respectively.Through multiple comparisons with Tukey's HSD,B.albo-sinensis was more sensitive to temperature than P.asperata.Seeds of P.asperata could germinate when the temperature reached 10 ℃,but those of B.albo-sinensis could not,which implied that the latter as a pioneer species of subalpine coniferous forest areas needed higher lowest temperature for seed germination.Day and night temperature difference (15 ℃/10 ℃,20 ℃/15 ℃ and 20 ℃/10 ℃) had significant effect on the germination rates of tested seeds,which was the highest under 20 ℃/15 ℃.A wide range of day and night temperature difference seemed to be unfavorable to the seed germination of B.albo-sinensis.Light intensity also had a marked effect on the germination rates of test seeds.Under 20% transmittance,the germination rate of P.asperata and B.albo-sinensis was the highest,being 83.0±6.6% and 29.2±5.5%,respectively,and the initiation time and regularity of germination were the best as well.Furthermore,B.albo-sinensis was less sensitive to light than P.asperata,which was determined by the life behavior of tree itself.

Key words: Subalpine coniferous forest, Picea asperata, Betula albo-sinensis, Germination, Light, Temperature

CLC Number:

WU Yan, LIU Qing, HE Hai, LIN Bo, YIN Huajun . Effects of light and temperature on seed germination of Picea asperata and Betula albo-sinensis[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2004, (12): 2229-2232.

References

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