The sowing qualities of freshly harvested Scots pine seeds have been determined | 04/24/2024 | Mound

Since the beginning of the year, specialists from the Kurgan forest seed station have assessed the quality of 8 batches of Scots pine seeds with a total weight of 237.7 kg, prepared from forest seed raw materials collected in the autumn-winter period on the territory of 4 forestries of the Kurgan region. From the territory of the Glyadyansky forestry, 3.5 kg of seeds were received for analysis – this is one batch, from the Kargapolsky forestry – 120 kg – this is three lots, from the Kurgansky forestry – two batches weighing 100 kg, and on the territory of the Kurtamyshsky forestry two batches of seeds weighing 14.2 kg were prepared.

Seed samples were analyzed for such indicators as seed purity, weight of 1000 pieces, germination energy, germination, as well as infection with phytopathogenic fungi and insect pests. The quality class of seeds was established by seed germination, for example, if seed germination is above 95%, then 1 class is assigned, if from 85 to 95% – then 2 quality class, from 65 to 85% – 3 quality class, below 65% – substandard seeds . Based on the results of the inspection, seeds with a total weight of 84.2 kg were assigned quality class 2 and 150 kg – quality class 3.

Forest users are advised to keep seeds dry and control seed moisture with cobalt paper. Since the phytopathogen Alternaria was identified in the batches, treatment with fungicides approved for use in the Russian Federation is necessary before sowing. For class 3 seeds, a recommendation is given to sow the seeds in the next sowing season.