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Forest Research home > Research themes > Sustainable forest management > Seed and seedling biology > Tree seed storage and pretreatment
Seed storage and pretreatment for Ilex aquifolium
| Common name | Holly |
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| Scientific name | Ilex aquifolium |
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| Storage characteristics | Orthodox |
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| Storage moisture content and temperature | 10-12% @ < 0°C |
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| Dormancy characteristics | Deep |
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| Pretreatment method | 40 (28-52) weeks warm (c. 15°C) plus
24 (20-52) weeks cold (c. 4°C)
See pretreatment of deeply dormant species |
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| Efficacy of pretreatment / remarks | Only partially effective even with the longest pretreatment durations and/or several pretreatment cycles |
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| Approximate date to initiate artificial pre-treatment (for 1 March sowing) | 6 December (-2 years) |
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FootnotesStorage characteristicsOrthodox - seeds that can be dried without harm, and once dried can be frozen, stored for years with little deterioration and relatively easily revived. Pre-treatment methodFigures in brackets indicate that different seedlots often require different pretreatment durations. There are three potential courses of action: - Adhere to the pretreatment duration in bold, with the knowledge that the maximum potential germination of the seedlot may be sacrificed for the sake of simplicity.
- Inspect the pretreating seed regularly. Sow when c. 10% of seed is chitted, with the hope that this is indicative that the remaining seeds are now close to germination.
- Inspect the pretreating seed regularly. At suitable intervals, remove chitted seeds (by hand, flotation, and/or sieving). Sow chitted seeds and return balance to pretreatment until no more seeds germinate.
Practice Guide Raising Trees and Shrubs from Seed (PDF-648K)
Forestry Commission Practice Guide 18.
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