Variability of cone parameters and scale morphology in the black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) in the context of seed extraction

Abstract

In this paper, the results of research on the variability of black alder cones (Alnus glutinosa L.) ware presented. The research was carried out for two, significantly different, batches of cones. Basic size parameters and mass were measured. The shape of the cone was determined, and it was described with the fourth-degree polynomial. The surface area and volume of the cone were calculated using the forming curve and formulas for solids: barrel and cylinder. The parameters of cones-shape surface area and volume-were analyzed. It was found that for alder cones (from the researched origins), the average volumes calculated from the barrel formula are 1701 mm 3 and 1162 mm 3 , and the areas calculated from the cylinder formula are 807 mm 2 and 597 mm 2. The structure of the inner and outer sides of scales was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Using the MultiScanBase v. 18.03 program, the elements of husk structure that could affect the efficiency of seeds extraction were measured. The results of the research can be used to program the process of seeds extraction from alder cones in commercial installations.

Morphological variability of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) cones in the context of seed extraction

“…They were present in the region that was in contact with the seed enclosed by the scale below. Above that region of the scale, the cells were regular, thick-walled, and roughly rectangular in shape, as in the silver fir, European larch, and black alder (Aniszewska et al 2017b(Aniszewska et al , 2019. The upper external surface of scales (under the bracts) exhibited no whole elongated cells, but rather small oval cells resembling little channels.…”

“…Numerous authors have studied the variability of cones and seeds of both coniferous and broadleaved tree species present in Polish forests, including the Scots pine (Zajączkowski 1949, Staszkiewicz 1968, Białobok et al 1993, Hauke-Kowalska et al 2019, Norway spruce (Chmielewski and Tyszkiewicz 1968, Barzdajn 1996, Kulej and Skrzyszewska 1996, Aniszewska 2001, Tomanek and Witkowska-Żuk 2008, Buraczyk, 2009, Silver fir (Barzdajn 1996, Tracz andBarzdajn 2007), European larch (Bałut 1969) and Black alder (Aniszewska et al 2019). Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies on the parameters of Douglas fir cones in the context of seed extraction.…”

“…The scale morphology of the two Douglas fir provenances (Kołaczyce and Opole) was examined by the SEM method, which was previously used to study the morphology of Scots pine, silver fir, European larch, and black alder scales (Aniszewska et al 2017a(Aniszewska et al , 2017b(Aniszewska et al , 2019. Considerable morphological differences were observed between the outer surface of scales and their inner (concave) surface enclosing the seeds.…”