Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.15177/seefor.26-016
Physical Properties and Germination Capacity of Black Alder Seeds: Informing Reforestation Efforts for a Threatened Population near Lake Prespa, North Macedonia
Anastazija Dimitrova
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, str. 16 Makedonska Brigada 1, MKD-1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
*
Svetlana Pejovikj
; Macedonian Ecological Society, str. Todor Skalovski 9A, MKD-1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Ognen Onchevski
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, str. 16 Makedonska Brigada 1, MKD-1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Ivan Minchev
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, str. 16 Makedonska Brigada 1, MKD-1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Dana Dina Kolevska
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, str. 16 Makedonska Brigada 1, MKD-1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Widely spread across Europe, black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) is a keystone species in riparian ecosystems. In North Macedonia, the black alder population present in the proximity of Lake Prespa is under severe threat due to the combined impact of anthropogenic factors, climate change, and the age and state of the mature trees. Recent reforestation activities where locally produced seedlings were planted have been conducted; however, significant knowledge gaps regarding the species biology and current state of the reproductive material may decrease the output, i.e., seedling survival. Therefore, in the present study, we analyse the physical and physiological properties of seed lots collected in 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, we also analyse the results from five pre-sowing treatments (cold stratification, ethanol treatment, hydrogen peroxide treatment, water soak, and hydrothermal treatment) selected based on the A. glutinosa seed properties. The results indicate a lower viability in the seed lot from 2023, which could be due to the longer storage as well as a potentially low-seed year. The lower viability is reflected in the lower thousand seeds weight (1.165 g in 2023, 1.725 g in 2024), lower germination capacity (20.7% in 2023, 33.4% in 2024), lower germination energy (19.9% in 2023, 31.9% in 2024), and lower viability (18.5% of healthy seeds in 2023, 36.24% in 2024). The comparison between the pre-sowing treatments showed cold stratification as superior to all other treatments, for the seeds lots from both years. Furthermore, with ethanol treatment and water soak, no seeds germinated, indicating a deep dormancy of black alder seeds that needs to be overcome by more intensive physical and/or chemical stimulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted on black alder seeds’ germination capacity in North Macedonia. As such, it provides valuable insight into the overall state of the reproductive material as well as practical data on the pre-sowing treatments’ effect. With conservation in mind, future research analysing the results of direct sowing as compared to planting, as well as the improvement of nursery production with higher seeding rates (due to the natural low viability of black alder seeds) and the implementation of arbuscular ectomycorrhiza could be of interest.
Ključne riječi
riparian; forest; nursery; plant production; seed characteristics; reforestation; germination
Hrčak ID:
349120
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.6.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *