Germination success, survival and seedling vigour of Quercus suber acorns in relation to insect damage

This study assesses the effects of damage caused by Curculio elephas Gyll. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Cydia splendana Hb. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on mature acorns of cork oak trees, Quercus suber L., in Portugal. The average number of insect-attacked acorns varied between 68, 44 and 17%, in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forest ecology and management 2002-08, Vol.166 (1), p.159-164
Main Authors: Branco, Manuela, Branco, Carmen, Merouani, Hachemi, Almeida, Maria Helena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acorn germination
Artificial regeneration. Forest nurseries. Planting
Biological and medical sciences
Forestry
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insect-attack
Seedling production
Sowing and planting
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Summary:This study assesses the effects of damage caused by Curculio elephas Gyll. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Cydia splendana Hb. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on mature acorns of cork oak trees, Quercus suber L., in Portugal. The average number of insect-attacked acorns varied between 68, 44 and 17%, in three sites, respectively. Acorns assorted into increasing damage classes had a decreasing acorn dry weight and a faster germination rate. The percentage of germination was very high (>90%) in all classes. Seedlings resulting from more intensely damaged acorns exhibited a slower growth rate and lower dry mass production than seedlings resulting from low damaged acorns.
ISSN:0378-1127
1872-7042
DOI:10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00669-7