Correlations between the physical properties of silver fir seeds

Abstract

According to published research findings, germination rate and efficiency are largely determined by seed mass. However, it is difficult to calibrate seeds based on their mass on a large scale. Therefore, other traits strongly correlated with mass should be identified and used in the seed separation process. The aim of this study was to determine the range of variation in the basic physical properties of silver fir seeds, and the presence of correlations between these properties for the needs of the seed sorting process. The experiment was performed on 5 batches of seeds harvested from Polish tree stands in seed zone Jd62. The terminal velocity, thickness, width, length, angle of external friction and mass of every seed were measured. The values of these parameters were used to calculate the geometric mean diameter, aspect ratio, sphericity index and the density of seeds. Silver fir seeds can be divided into mass fractions based on the following parameters correlated with mass, arranged in decreasing order: thickness, length, terminal velocity, width, density and angle of external friction. To improve their quality, the analysed seeds should be sorted with the use of sieve separators with longitudinal openings, equipped with at least two sieves with working mesh dimensions of ≠3.5 mm and ≠2.25 mm. Such a set of sieves can support the separation of worthless seeds from the plumpest seeds characterised by potentially the highest germination capacity, which could be used for single-seed sowing or sown in single boxes and Styrofoam blocks in the production of seedlings with root balls.

Keywords

• abies alba
• seeds
• dimensions
• mass
• separating parameters
• correlation
• sorting
• fractions