Effect of the warming experiment using open chambers on the production of the konara oak (Quercus serrata)
2015
Nakamura, K. (Tottori University (Japan). Graduate School of Agriculture) | Sano, J.
We examined the effect of increasing temperature on the production of konara oak (Quercus serrata) acorns using three Open Top Canopy Chambers (OTCCs), which mimicked global warming in the canopy of a Q. serrata secondary forest. First, we enumerated the number of shoots and male catkins before collecting male catkins and measuring their lengths and dry weights both inside and outside (i.e., controls) of the OTCCs. We also regularly enumerated the number of female flowers on the branches until all of the acorns were dropped. We collected the acorns with seed traps beneath each crown at regular intervals and measured their dry weights and the ratio of total phenols in mature specimens. The number of male catkins per shoot inside the OTCCs was greater than that outside the OTCCs. Moreover, both the lengths and dry weights of male catkins inside the OTCCs tended to be greater than those outside the OTCCs. In contrast, the number of male flowers per shoot inside the OTCCs was lower than that outside the OTCCs. However, female flower survival did not differ between the treated specimens and the controls. Additionally, the ratio of total phenols in mature acorns did not differ; however, for all collected acorns, we found a positive correlation between drop day and dry weight. Finally, there were negative correlations between both drop day and dry weight and the ratio of total phenols in mature acorns. This study indicates that a temperature increase during the initiation of Q. serrata flower buds affects the number of male catkins and female flowers, which will likely affect the acorn crop.
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