Factors influencing seedling emergence and survival inCercidiphyllum japonicum

• Published in: Folia geobotanica Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 225 - 234
• Main Authors: Kubo, Masako, Sakio, Hitoshi, Shimano, Koji, Ohno, Keiichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01-09-2004
• Subjects: Desiccation; Flux density; Gravel; Light; Litter; Nurseries; Plant species; Riparian forests; Seedlings; Soil conditions; Soils; Survival
• ISSN: 1211-9520; 1874-9348
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02804779

Cercidiphyllum japonicumSieb. etZucc. is found in riparian forests in Japan, but the seedlings rarely regenerate more than coexisting tree species. We investigatedC. japonicum emergence and seedling survival in a nursery for 21 months. Bare soil, soil-with-litter, and gravel treatments and 3.0%, 10.9%, 22.7%, 60.1%, and 100% relative photosynthetic photon flux density (RPPFD) light conditions were tested. Seedling emergence depended on soil type and light conditions. Owing toC. japonicum’s small seed size, germinated seedlings could not penetrate the litter layer and became desiccated in gravel, but most seedlings emerged and survived in bare soil. These surviving seedlings needed quite bright light to germinate but not extreme light conditions. Initial mortality was high, but most of the seedlings that survived the first three months survived for the duration of the study, even under quite dark 10% RPPFD conditions. Current-year seedlings grew poorly under bright light conditions and rarely survived under the brightest light condition, when survival was probably negatively affected by desiccation. After one year, seedlings were able to use the higher light conditions more efficiently for growth. Such seedlings probably have a high chance of survival. Under low light conditions, both current- and second-year seedlings grew poorly. However, even small seedlings are likely to survive under low light conditions in a nursery, because the seedbed is level and nursery seedlings do not face all of the threats that are present in an actual forest.