• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.3
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• pp.295-307
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• 2021

This study proposed a field-applicable natural regeneration method using natural seeding to afforest a secondary growth forest after felling in Larix kaempferi plantations. In 2016, an experimental site was established usingseed-tree and clear-cutting methods in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Characteristics of seed fructification and inflow in the natural regeneration site were analyzed along with an experimental site in Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which was established in 2014. As a result, the number of seeds per individual tree of V age class L. kaempferi was 690,340 seeds in a good year, with an estimated 13.8 million seeds per ha fruited in natural regeneration sites of L. kaempferi with 25 seed-trees per ha. Seed dispersal began in September and germination rates of seeds dispersed until November were greater than 40%. Reserved seed-tree sites showed the highest amount of seed inflow, followed by the seed-tree site and clear-cut site in descending order. The reserved seed-tree method performed better than other methods for evenly scattering seeds. Therefore, the timing of logging and seedbed generation for natural regeneration of L. kaempferi is estimated to be most effective before September when seeds are purposefully scattered using the reserved seed-tree method as an effective method for uniform seed supply.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 1999

Current data on reproductive characters of endemic and native species are essential to provide a strategy for the conservation of these species. Red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. & Zucc.) is one of the dominant, native tree species in Korea, but its reproductive ecology is not well-known. In 1997, the pattern of variation in cone and seed yields contributing to the conservation of declining populations of red pines was examined. Plant height and dbh were measured, and several new cones were collected from each tagged tree after counting the number of cones on each tree. For a subset of cones sampled, the number of fertile scales, the number of seeds at three development stages (early/late aborted, and filled seed), seed wing size, wing color, and individual filled seed mass were measured. The three sites which differed significantly in mean plant size also differed in mean cone and seed production per plant. However further analyses showed that most variation in characters examined occurred among plants within sites, but not among sites. An average of 90% of the potential seeds on the cones aborted at an early developmental stage, demonstrating that early abortion is a major factor affecting the number of filled seeds per cone. Individual seed mass was the only character which exhibited significant variations among sites as well as among trees within sites. Individual seed mass was overall negatively correlated with both the percentage of late abortion and the number of old cones per plant, suggesting that both the past and current years' reproductive activities have caused variations in seed mass. The potential dispersal distance of red pine seeds is quite large. However, wing loading was correlated with seed mass and number in a complex pattern across the sites. Distribution of seeds with varied colored wings differed among sites and among trees within sites. These results suggest that red pines at different sites might possess different strategies to cope with selection pressures acting during the final phase of reproduction, from seed dispersal to establishment. Then the ‘fitted’ red pine trees at each site should be identified and managed to conserve or restore populations.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.82-86
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• 2018

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is widely distributed in the southern part of the United States and it has been used as a major economic species in the region due to its excellent growth and stem straightness. The tree also grows only in the southern part of Korea because it is susceptible to cold. Recently climate changes have had widespread impacts on forest trees. Thus, the use of good quality seeds is prerequisite for assessing assisted migration adaptation trial. In this study, we conducted to investigate its cone and seed characteristics of each family, which is expected to improve seeds productivity for planting valuable timber trees. A total of 14 families were selected from the experimental forest in Boseong, Jeonnam province in 1981. The seed production capacity was estimated to range from 87.2 to 129.4 among families and the average was 111.3. The number of aborted ovules was investigated in the range of 11.4 to 29.5 for the first test and 7.4 to 22.2 for the second test. The average number of empty and filled seeds was 1.4 and 79.2 per cone, respectively. Based on the results, we can conclude that there is a strong correlation between the number of fertile scale and the seed production ability.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2000

Lacquer tree can be proliferated by root or stem cutting, and seed. In case of proliferation by seed, however, the germination rate is very low. Thus, the present study was carried out to obtain aspceptic lacquer plant in vitro from seed because natural tissue culture was highly defiled by unknown fungi and bacteria. First seed grading on distilled water was 50.7% and second seed grading was 20.8% after 98% sulfuric acid treatment for 2 hours. Removal of inner seed coat was higher with 32.4% than non-removal of outer seed coat and removal outer seed coat in rooting rate. In germination rate according to pre-treatment, growth regulators were not effective at all, but sulfuric acid was effective a little with 3%. Removal outer seed coat was increased about 4%, that germinated about 10% in MS medium supplemented with 1.0mg/L BA and 0.05mg/L NAA, 1.0mg/L BA. Lacquer tree seeds germinated after 10 days in MS medium, and aspceptic seedling of lacquer tree were obtained after 3 weeks in vitro. Germination rate, however, was lower about 10%.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.90 no.1
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• pp.155-160
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• 2001

Changes in genetic diversity after seed-tree practice were simulated in test plantation of tulip tree at Sokdal-ri, Banwol-myon, Hwasung-gun, Kyungki Provence. I-SSR markers were analyzed in a total of 305 tulip trees. A total of 89 amplicon variants were observed by PCR with 9 I-SSR primers. Genetic diversity for 305 trees was relatively high (S. I. =0.4532). Individuals originated from the seed orchards in U.S.A. showed the highest level of genetic diversity (0.4530), those from Anyang showed the medium level (0.4152), and those from Cheonbuk showed the lowest (0.3929). Simulation of seed-tree practice accompanied by 2 consecutive thinnings was performed on the basis of morphological characteristics and planted distances of the individual trees, which left 37 trees as candidates for seed-trees. Decreasing rate of genetic diversity within seed sources was greatest for individuals from Cheonbuk (28.3%), moderate for those from Anyang (16.3%), and smallest for those from U.S.A. (8.0%). In spite of little difference in decreasing rate of individuals for the 3 seed sources (87.5~88.2%), large difference in decreasing rate of genetic diversity within seed sources might be due to difference in number of mother trees for the 3 seed sources. For example, whereas individuals originated from the seed orchard in U.S.A., which showed the smallest decreasing rate of genetic diversity, might be originated from relatively large number of mother trees, those from Anyang and Cheonbuk might be originated from relatively small number of mother trees. Although mean of 17.5% of the genetic diversity within seed sources was decreased through 2 consecutive thinnings, a decrease in genetic diversity for the whole individuals (37 trees) was only 6.1%. This observation suggests that the seed-tree practice on the basis of the criteria established in the present study may not result in great reduction in overall genetic diversity of the progenies.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.311-322
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• 2016

Since forest trees form the basis of forest ecosystem, their prolong subsistence is crucial for various flora and fauna. The foremost challenges to sustain the forest ecosystem comprise of the declining forest tree population accompanied with structural changes due to afforestation and exploitation of forest area, environment changes, pests, pollution, and introgressive hybridization. For ex situ conservation approach, in vitro techniques encompass basic role for conserving tree genetic resources, predominantly where natural propagules like recalcitrant seed might not be appropriate for long-term conservation. The practice includes restricted growth techniques, conventional micropropagation, production and storage of synthetic seeds, and cryopreservation. Even though these practices have been applied chiefly to herbaceous species, but recently, woody species were also focused upon. Key conceptions, challenges and techniques for forest tree seed conservation are discussed briefly in this review with special emphasis on some successful cryopreservation approaches for long-term storage.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2024

An evaluation was carried out on variability in morphology of fruits and seeds (number and weight) of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach. and Thonn.) Taub. from different populations across its distribution range in Nigeria. Bulk fruit samples were collected and examined for variations in morphological characters. Differences in morphological character of fruits and seeds among the populations were determined using analysis of variance at 5% level of probability. The relationships among morphological characters were determined using Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Significant variations (p<0.05) existed among T. tetraptera populations for all the evaluated characters: fruit length, fruit width, number of seeds per fruit and seed weight. A positive significant strong correlation (r=0.96) was found between seed weight and number of seeds per fruit, while no correlation existed between fruit length, width and number of seeds. Seed weight was positively correlated with minimum altitude (r=0.97) and maximum altitude (r=0.99) of seed populations. Number of seeds was also significantly correlated with maximum altitude (r=0.965). There was no significant correlation between geo-climatic variables and fruit dimensions (length and width). Observed variations in morphological traits within and across populations of T. tetraptera may be used as proxy to estimate genetic diversity and selection of superior trees for improved productivity.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2011

Seeds of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge were collected from two plantations and two superior trees in Inner Mongolia: and one plantation and one superior tree in Liaoning, China in late August, 2011. Yellowhorn or goldenhorn is an important tree species, from the aspects of source of edible oil and biodiesel and pioneering capacity of degraded and desert land. Characteristics investigated were seed length, width, and weight: weight and volume of 1,000 seeds: and weight and volume of one-liter seeds. The seeds of Qingsonglingxiang No. 1, growing alone in an open space, showed the highest values in seed length (16.08 mm), width (14.48 mm) and weight (1.40 g), while those of Tree No. 160 in Ar Khorqin Banner were the lowest ones: that is, 11.48mm for length, 11.81 mm for width, and 0.73 g for weight, respectively. Traits of seeds varied quite much between trees and among areas; for example, Tree No. 38 and No. 160 produced quite different seeds in several traits, although they are adjacent to each other in the same farm. Weight of 1,000 seeds varied from 718.0 g to 1,010.1 g and volume from 0.76 L to 1.52 L. Weight of one-liter seeds were 522.3 g to 688.2 g, while the number of seeds were 603 to 935. Seeds which were soaked in the water at $4^{\circ}C$ for 2 days showed the highest germination rate (89%) in a 30-day test, which was about 10% to 40% higher than those of non-treatment and dipping treatment at $36^{\circ}C$ followed by keeping under room temperature for 2 days. 81% of seeds in the wet sand at room temperature germinated, while 23% of seeds deprived of seed coat germinated. It is necessary to understand seed traits to select superior clones or provenances for the increased, unfluctuating production of seed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.635-644
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• 2016

Birds play a main role in the formation and change of forest structures as they are seed-dispersal agents. This study aims to identify birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree and their associated fruits and seeds on Jeju Island in the context on the forest restoration in Korea. We conducted field surveys twice a month from 2013 to 2015 at nine study sites located across Jeju Island and collected available photographic and observation records. A total of 50 species of birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree were identified and birds belonging to Bombycillidae, Pycnonotidae, Zosteropidae, Sturnidae and Fringillidae were confirmed as major birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree. Gulping was the dominant type of feeding as well as crushing, but relationship between the size of a bird and the number of fruit and seed species used by the bird was not significant. We also documented that 118 fruit and seed species were consumed by birds and that shrubby fruits and seeds were more consumed by birds than those of other plant types. The relative consumption rate of fruits and seeds ranged from 0.02 to 0.44, but five species were the most important fruits and seeds for birds. Our finding suggest that avian frugivorous gulpers will benefit the seed dispersal, especially of five fruiting plants, providing useful baseline data for forest restoration and urban park design.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2023

In this study, Fourier-transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectra of Korean red pine seeds stored at -18℃ and 4℃ for 18 years were analyzed. To develop seed-germination prediction models, the performance of seven machine learning methods, namely XGBoost, Boosted Tree, Bootstrap Forest, Neural Networks, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, PLS-DA, were compared. The predictive performance, assessed by accuracy, misclassification, and area under the curve (0.9722, 0.0278, and 0.9735 for XGBoost, and 0.9653, 0.0347, and 0.9647 for Boosted Tree), was better for the XGBoost and decision tree models when compared with other models. The 54 wave-number variables of the two models were of high relative importance in seed-germination prediction and were grouped into six spectral ranges (811~1,088 nm, 1,137~1,273 nm, 1,336~1,453 nm, 1,666~1,671 nm, 1,879~2,045 nm, and 2,058~2,409 nm) for aromatic amino acids, cellulose, lignin, starch, fatty acids, and moisture, respectively. Use of the NIR spectral data and two machine learning models developed in this study gave >96% accuracy for the prediction of pine-seed germination after long-term storage, indicating this approach could be useful for non-destructive viability testing of stored seed genetic resources.