The Effect of Drying Quercus robur Acorn to Different Moisture Contents, Followed by Storage, either with or without Imbibition

1989

2 Abb., 2 Tab., 13 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

12144

200022419

Freshly harvested Quercus robur acorn were spread out, two deep, in trays, and dried/stored (at +2C over the course of 28 weeks) to either 45, 40, 35, 30 or 25 per cent moisture content (fresh weight basis). Drying/storage significantly reduced the germination percentage (Formel). The acorns at each moisture content were then either "soaked" or "not soaked", before immediate germination; or returned to the same cold store at +2C, this time in loosely tied polythene bags. Soaking raised the acorns moisture content (M.C.), and also brought about a significant increase in germination capacity (Formel). Regardless of the moisture content immediately before soaking, "soaked" acorns in loosely tied polythene bags stored better than "unsoaked" acorns. All "bagged" acorns (whether "soaked" or "unsoaked") stored better than acorns dried/stored in open trays.