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Ekologija / Ecology

ISSN 0235-7224
ISSN 2029-0586 (online)

2009 m. Nr. 3-4

Effects of artificial soil drought on Scots pine fruiting, seed vitality, and pollen germination
Remigijus OZOLINČIUS, Vidas STAKĖNAS, Brigita SERAFINAVIČIŪTĖ, Rasa BUOŽYTĖ

In spring 2003, an artificial soil drought was induced by roofs constructed below the crown canopy in a 60-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand. The experiment included a randomized block design of two treatments (simulated drought and control). More than 30 trees were present in each plot. In autumn 2005, the roofs were removed in order to study the recovery. Soil humidity, crown defoliation, tree fruiting, seed vitality, and pollen germination were studied until 2008. Artificial soil drought decreased the proportion of fruiting trees. The effect remained even after roofs had been removed. Changes of defoliation had a different pattern than those of fruiting. In the third year after roof removal, when crowns recovered, a signifi cant decrease of Scots pine fruiting was recorded. The soil drought had no significant influence on cone weight and seed vitality, but affected Scots pine pollen germination. The proportion of non-fertile pollen increased twice in drought plots. The results indicate that increased drought periods can negatively affect the reproductive capacities of Scots pine.

Keywords: artificial drought, Pinus sylvestris, reproduction, roof experiment

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