Germination success of acorns (<i>Quercus</i>): insect predation and tannins

Weckerly, Floyd W.; Sugg, Derrick W.; Semlitsch, Raymond D.

doi:10.1139/x89-124

Cited by 41 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…Unlike the study of Branco et al (2002), the present study confirmed the importance of weevil larvae on causing damage to acorns of Q. variabilis because insect infestation significantly decreased germination rates, which was similar to other studies with other Curculio or Quercus species (Cortés-Gimeno, 2003;Oliver and Chapin, 1984;Pulido and Díaz, 2003;Weckerly et al, 1989). The results were also consistent with the effect of cotyledon excision carried out by Rydin (1997), Milberg andLamont (1997) and Bonfil (1998), but not with Andersson and Frost (1996) who have reported that cotyledon extirpation had no effect on growth in oaks.…”

Section: Disccusionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Acorn germination and seedling survival of Q. variabilis: effects of cotyledon excision

Hou¹,

Yi²,

Yang³

et al. 2010

Ann. For. Sci.

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Abstract• We studied the effects of acorn cotyledon loss by insect damage and artificial excision on germination and seedling survival of Quercus variabilis, to determine whether insect infestation decreases acorn germination and seedling establishment; and to what extent cotyledon damage can affect acorn germination and seedling establishment.• Artificial excision partially imitated the effect of insect damage on acorn germination and seedling survival, and indicated that insect damage did not significantly decrease germination rate and seedling survival of Q. variabilis acorns. The viability of infested but still viable acorns strongly depends on which sector weevil larvae feed on.• The cotyledon reserves at the apex of acorns were more important than those at the base in supporting acorn viability and seedling establishment. The excision of apical cotyledon has the most detrimental effects on acorn germination activity. The relatively low effect of larval infestation on acorn viability was likely related to the high frequency of feeding and escaping at the base, which was closely correlated with differentiation in pericarp thickness in Q. variabilis acorns. These could explain the low decrease in acorn germination and seedling survival experienced by infested acorns.

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Section: Disccusionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Acorn germination and seedling survival of Q. variabilis: effects of cotyledon excision

Hou¹,

Yi²,

Yang³

et al. 2010

Ann. For. Sci.

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“…White oak acorns are consumed more than those of the red oaks due to the larger seed size, greater cotyledon content and lower tannin content of the former. Tannins function as inhibitory toxins that deter predatory attack (Weckerly, Sugg, & Semlitsh, 1989;Smallwood, Steele, & Faeth, 2001). 83 gence in some oak species (Yamazaki, Iwamoto, & Seiwa, 2009).…”

Section: Species Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Germinación y emergencia de plántulas de cuatro especies de encino amenazadas

Cruz

López‐Barrera

Ramos-Prado

2016

MYB

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Germination and emergence of the endangered cloud forest oak species Quercus germana, Q. insignis, Q. sartorii and Q. xalapensis were observed under different light conditions (sun vs. shade) in a secondary forest fragment (SFF) and in a greenhouse (GRE). Seed weight variability was evaluated for each species and its relationship to germination and emergence determined. After 60 days, a total of 62.17% of the acorns had germinated and 37.79% had emerged in both experiments. Germination was highest in Q. sartorii (71.83% ± 2.09%), followed by Q. germana (66.33% ± 2.06%), Q. insignis (60.83% ± 2.34%) and Q. xalapensis (53.50% ± 2.32%). In the GRE, Q. insignis germination was higher under sun (62.00% ± 4.73%) than shade (48.00% ± 5.12%), whereas its emergence was the lowest (37.66% ± 3.46%) compared to other species in both light environments. In the SFF, germination and emergence only differed among species; Q. xalapensis germination was lowest (47.00% ± 3.11%) and Q. sartorii emergence was highest (58.66% ± 3.35%), compared to the other species. Acorn weight did not influence germination or emergence in any species. The implications of this study are discussed, along with recommended propagation techniques for growing oaks for forest restoration in disturbed areas.Keywords: early seedling establishment, light environment, Quercus, seed mass, tropical montane cloud forest.resumen La germinación y emergencia de encinos amenazados del bosque de niebla, Quercus germana, Q. insignis, Q. sartorii y Q. xalapensis fue evaluada bajo diferentes condiciones lumínicas (sol vs. sombra) en un fragmento de bosque secundario (SFF) y un invernadero (GRE). Para cada una de las especies, la variabilidad del peso de la semilla fue relacionada con la germinación y emergencia. Después de 60 días, en ambos experimentos, un total de 62.17% de las bellotas germinaron y 37.79% emergieron. La germinación fue mayor en Q. sartorii (71.83% ± 2.09%), seguido de Q. germana (66.33% ± 2.06%), Q. insignis (60.83% ± 2.34%) y Q. xalapensis (53.50% ± 2.32%). En el GRE, la germinación de Q. insignis fue mayor bajo el sol (62.00% ± 4.73%) que bajo la sombra (48.00% ± 5.12%), mientras que su emergencia fue la más baja (37.66% ± 3.46%) comparada con otras especies en ambos ambientes lumínicos. En el SFF, la germinación y emergencia solo fueron diferentes entre especies; Q. xalapensis registró la germinación más baja (47.00% ± 3.11%) y Q. sartorii la emergencia más alta (58.66% ± 3.35%) comparada con el resto de las especies. El peso de la bellota no influyó en la germinación y emergencia de las especies. Se discuten las implicaciones de este estudio, así como recomendaciones sobre técnicas de propagación para la producción de encinos para restaurar bosques en áreas perturbadas.Palabras clave: establecimiento temprano de plántulas, ambiente lumínico, Quercus, peso de semilla, bosque de niebla.

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“…), moths (e.g., Melissopus spp.) and cynipid wasps, attack acorns causing damage that prevents germination (Kearby et al, 1986;Weckerly et al, 1989;Johnson et al, 2002). Mammals such as deer (Harlow et al, 1975), squirrels (Short, 1976), chipmunks (Pyare et al, 1993) and mice (Gómez et al, 2003) are known predators of acorns and can consume high proportions of the acorn crop in years of poor to moderate production (Sork, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%