Tigabu, Mulualem
- Department of Silviculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Predispersal seed predation among individual Acacia macrostachya trees over two sites in Burkina Faso was assessed. In addition, the effects of seed predation on seed viability; germination responses to scarification (mechanical, hot water at 60, 70 and 80degreesC, and sulphuric acid for 10, 20 and 30 min) and dry heat (at 60, 70 and 80degreesC for 15, 30 and 60 min each) treatments were investigated under laboratory conditions. The results indicated a large difference in predation intensity among individual trees, as well as between sites. Predispersal predation significantly decreased seed germination, particularly when the number of insect larvae per seed increased. Scarified and unscarified seeds germinated equally well, except for hot water treatments of high temperature. This indicates lack of physical dormancy and dispersed seeds can readily germinate provided that conditions for germination are conducive. Seeds exposed to dry heat treatments also germinated close to 97% under low intensity and short exposure times. This suggests that. re, under natural condition, plays a key role in triggering germination of A. macrostachya seeds.
Keywords
Acacia seeds; bruchids; Burkina Faso; dormancy; pre-sowing treatments
Published in
New Forests
2004, volume: 27, number: 3, pages: 251-267
Publisher: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL
SLU Authors
Oden, Per
- Department of Silviculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of Silviculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
UKÄ Subject classification
Forest Science
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NEFO.0000022225.75095.41
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/3002