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Conservation of Prunus padus L., a tree of high ecological and pharmacological importance, has been evaluated by storing seeds at subzero (−20 °C and −80 °C) and cryogenic (−196 °C) temperatures for various durations. The effect of the seed’s water content (WC) ranging from 3.5% to 21.1%, fresh weight basis, and the effect of cooling and rewarming procedures on seed viability was investigated. Emergence of seedlings was observed for 40%–55% of the noncryopreserved seeds, with no significant effect of WC. The same seedling emergence was recorded for seeds cryopreserved by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen within the WC range of 3.5%–15.0%. Seeds rehydrated above 17% WC were unable to tolerate cryopreservation. Seedling emergence was not affected by cooling regime but decreased by 10% after stepwise rewarming compared with rapid rewarming in a water bath or on air. No reduction in seedling emergence was recorded after storage at −20 °C, −80 °C, and −196 °C for 1 h, 1 week, and 1 month. We recommend seed storage at subzero or cryogenic temperatures as an effective conservation option for P. padus and possibly other Prunus species. We also demonstrated high effectiveness and reliability of Bayesian statistical methods for analyzing binomial data such as the data obtained in seed conservation experiments.

Effects on seed germination characteristics of 17 tree species were investigated under elevated temperature and CO2. Seeds of 5 needle-leaf and 12 broad-leaf species were germinated under four conditions: 24°C + 400 μmol CO2 mol air–1, 24°C + 750 μmol CO2 mol air–1, 27°C + 400 μmol CO2 mol air–1, and 27°C + 750 μmol CO2 mol air–1. The elevated temperature and CO2 affected germination percent (GP) of 7 tree species seeds.GPs of Pinus densiflora, P. thunbergii, Betula ermanii, and Maackia amurensisseeds were affected by the elevated temperature, while only that of P.jezoensis seed was influenced by the elevated CO2. GPs of Malus baccata and Zelkova serrataseeds were influenced by both the elevated temperature and CO2. In addition, the elevated temperature and CO2also affected mean germination time (MGT) of 12 tree species seeds. Particularly, MGTs of P. thunbergii and Rhododendron tschonoskii seeds were influenced by both factors. In conclusion, elevated temperature and CO2 affected seed germination characteristics, which were reflected by significant differences among tree species. Specifically, these two factors exerted stronger influence on germination pattern such as MGT rather than seed germination percent.

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