Summary
Published in Forest Ecology and Management 59: 115-125
In an attempt to identify whether the phenological development of an associated plant species would be well synchronized with spruce seed maturation, we examined the floral development of fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.) by dividing the inflorescence into six distinct parts. Weekly harvest on five different sites across the distribution of white spruce in Québec, showed a good correlation between the timing of white spruce seed maturation and the beginning of capsule bursting at the base of fireweed inflorescence (rs = 0.92). These two stages of development correspond to 1276 ± 112 degree-days or 1943 ± 155 thermal units, the latter yielding the greatest precision. Development of each section of the inflorescence progressed successively from the base to the top with a delay ranging between 3 and 7 days. Therefore, it appears possible to forecast the optimal moment for collection of white spruce cones 2 weeks in advance by monitoring the acropetal progression of the floral axis of fireweed. The influence of other factors, such as drainage class, light environment, and intra-population variations are also discussed.
Sector(s):
Forests
Categorie(s):
Scientific Article
Theme(s):
Forestry Research, Forests, Seeds and Forest Seedlings Production
Author(s)
MERCIER, Stéphan and Charles-Gilles LANGLOIS
Year of publication :
1993
Format :
Paper
How to get the publication :
Keywords :
Epilobium angustifolium, Picea glauca, fireweed, white spruce, flower induction, inflorescence, seed, germination test, statistical analysis, degree-days, phenophases, soil preparation, reproduction des arbres, production de semences et de plants, seeds and forest seedlings production
