title: Effects of age and stand density of mother trees on early Pinus thunbergii seedling establishment in the coastal zone, China.
abstract: Effects of age and stand density of mother tree on seed germination, seedling biomass allocation, and seedling growth of Pinus thunbergii were studied. The results showed that age of mother tree did not have significant influences on seed germination, but it was significant on seedling biomass allocation and growth. Seedlings from the minimum and maximum age of mother tree had higher leaf mass ratio and lower root mass ratio than from the middle age of mother tree. Moreover, they also had higher relative height growth rate and slenderness, which were related to their biomass allocation. Stand density of mother tree mainly demonstrated significant effects on seed germination and seedling growth. Seed from higher stand density of mother tree did not decrease germination rate, but had higher mean germination time, indicating that it delayed germination process. Seedlings of higher stand density of mother tree showed higher relative height growth rate and slenderness. These traits of offspring from higher stand density of mother tree were similar to its mother, indicating significant environmental maternal effects. So, mother tree identity of maternal age and environments had important effects on natural regeneration of the coastal P. thunbergii forest.
authors: Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Yantai 264003, China.
authors: Peili
authors: P
authors: Mao
authors: Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Yantai 264003, China.
authors: Guangxuan
authors: G
authors: Han
authors: Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Yantai 264003, China.
authors: Guangmei
authors: G
authors: Wang
authors: Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Yantai 264003, China.
authors: Junbao
authors: J
authors: Yu
authors: Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Yantai 264003, China ; Institute of Life Sciences, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
authors: Hongbo
authors: H
authors: Shao
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology; D028223:Pinus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*