Estimation of acorn production capacity using growth characteristics of Quercus acutissima in a clonal seed orchard
2016
Kim, Hyun-Tae | Kang, Jun Won | Lee, Wi Young | Han, Sang Urk | Park, Eung-Jun
Acorn production varies considerably among individual trees, years, and locations, which directly affect oak regeneration and populations of wildlife species. This study was conducted to estimate the acorn production capacities of trees in a clonal seed orchard (CSO) of Quercus acutissima by analyzing the relationship among morphological characteristics of acorns, growth characteristics of trees, and the number of acorns per tree in 9-year-old and 15-year-old trees, respectively. The age of the tree did not affect individual acorn morphological characteristics (weight, length, and width), but increased the mean acorn yield per tree from 1.26 kg at 9-year-old to 2.71 kg at 15-year-old. The number of acorns per tree showed strong positive correlations (P < 0.0001) with both crown width and crown volume of the tree. According to our equation, it was estimated that the management of tree density (to 180 trees per ha) and crown volume (to 78 m ³) may have the maximum acorn production per ha. Therefore, our results suggested that optimal management of tree density and crown volume may be very effective in increasing the acorn production in CSO of Q. acutissima , which further provides an important initial step in establishing a governmental policy for seedling supply plans.
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