CONDUCTIVITY OF INTRACELLULAR ELECTROLYTES AS A QUICK INDICATOR OF THE VIABILITY OF SCOTS PINE SEEDLINGS AFTER WINTERING IN FIELD CONDITIONS
Więcej
Ukryj
1
Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry,
University of Agriculture in Krakow,
Data publikacji: 23-06-2020
Acta Silvestria 2019;LVI:7-21
SŁOWA KLUCZOWE
DZIEDZINY
STRESZCZENIE
The aim of the study was to analyse the viability and differentiation of the degree of low temperature
resistance of one-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings after wintering
in the field. Nursery material was grown from seeds collected from 4 seed objects growing
in the following forest districts: Kędzierzyn (P1), Chrzanów (P2), Rudy Raciborskie (P3) as
well as seed orchard in the Miechów Forest District (P0). In addition, a sample of seedlings
showing signs of damage (P4) was also analysed (Table 1). The electrical conductivity of
electrolytes released from shoots (SEL – Shoot Electrolyte Leakage) and roots (REL – Root
Electrolyte Leakage) of pine seedlings were measured. The obtained results were compared
with the assessment of the electrical conductivity (EC) of the shoot and root (the so-called
admittance) of the same seedlings. Using the regression equations, the relationship between
seedling growth parameters and SEL and REL values was estimated. Containerized pine
seedlings, hibernating in external production beds, have shown a greater share of damage
caused by low temperature compared to bare root seedlings, wintering in artificial substrate.
Differentiation between individual provenances was demonstrated in terms of all analysed
viability indices, which suggests a different degree of resistance of cell membranes to the
damage caused by low temperature (Table 2). Classification of seedlings as damaged or nonviable based on a visual assessment of the occurrence of signs of damage was confirmed in 80% by measuring their viability (Fig. 1). Along with the increase in height and size of the seedling sturdiness quotient (SQ), the share of seedlings showing damage to the root system increased – showing a higher REL value (Fig. 2). Based on the research, it is recommended to test the viability of the seedlings at the end of the winter, even if no signs of damage had been observed, as the damage may have occurred at the cellular level. Assessment of the level of electrolyte leakage from root and shoot cells released as a result of frost damage is a good and quick indicator of seedling viability.