Germination success, survival and seedling vigour of Quercus suber acorns in relation to insect damage
2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 166; Issue: 1-3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0378-1127(01)00669-7
ISSN1872-7042
AutoresManuela Branco, Carmen Branco, Hachemi Merouani, Maria Helena Almeida,
Tópico(s)Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
ResumoThis 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.
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