DRY WEIGHT AND MOISTURE CONTENT IN SEEDS FROM DIFFERENT POSITIONS ON INDIVIDUAL PLANTS

It was investigated whether the heterogeneity was due to the fact that seeds originate from different plants and/or different positions on the plant. Sun- and shade positions were marked on eight plants of the species Euonymus europaeus L., Malus sargentii Rehder, Prunus serotina Ehrh., and Frangula alnus Mill. (Rhamnus frangula L.).

Seeds were collected 2 to 4 times during the autumn 1986 from each combination of plant and position. Dry weight and moisture percentage of the seeds were determined.

It was found that seeds of different plants did not mature at the same time. There was significant differences among plants in moisture percentage of seeds in all four species. In E. europaus, P. serotina, and F. alnus the dry weight of seeds was significantly different among plants. The sunny positions had significantly higher dry weight and lower moisture percentage of seeds in E. europaeus and M. sargentii but not in F. alnus.

The investigations indicate a possibility of obtaining more homogeneous seed lots by careful selection of the plants and the position on the plant for seed harvest.

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