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Marking tree seeds with spray paint for germination studies

Informally Refereed

Abstract

I evaluated the potential use of spray paint for marking conifer seeds for germination studies in forest nurseries. For bulk seedlots of large-seeded species like western white pine (Pinus monticola), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), paint had little or no effect on six different germination parameters, but negatively affected germination of western larch (Larix occidentalis). On a family level with pine seeds, spray paint may or may not be appropriate depending on the specfic objectives of hte researcher and the level of conservation used.

Keywords

Western white pine, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, western larch

Citation

Dumroese, R. Kasten. 2003. Marking tree seeds with spray paint for germination studies. Western Journal Applied Forestry 18(3): 175-178
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/20349