Pollination success and full seed percentage in European larch (Larix decidua MILL.)

Abstract

A relationship between the success of pollination and the percentage of full seeds of European larch (Larix decidua MILL.) was studied using several models of non-linear correlation analysis. Although the proportion of pollinated ovules was high in most cases (especially in the middle parts of open-pollinated conelets), the mean percentage of full seeds was extraordinarily low (after the controlled self-pollination even close to zero) and most of the calculated correlation coefficients are lower than the corresponding critical value. This fact gives an evidence for the strong effect of additional important factors causing the empty seed formation in Larix even after the successful pollination of ovules.

Keywords

• european larch
• pollen
• empty seeds