Effect of seed production, distribution, viability, losses and germination on the natural regeneration of silver Fir (Abies pindrow) in moist temperate forests of Pakistan
Effect of seed production, distribution, viability, losses and germination on the natural regeneration of silver Fir (Abies pindrow) in moist temperate forests of Pakistan
Raza-ul-Haq
ABSTRACT
A number of experiments were laid out at Kund and Sharan
to study seed production distribution, viability and
losses of seed affecting natural regeneration of Abies
pindrow in the moist temperate forests of Pakistan. Seed
production from mature and over- mature tree crops
(150-200 years old) is numerically adequate (upto 136
seeds /m2) in some years. However, the amount of viable
seeds does not exceed 15% (20 seeds per m2). Seed
production in 1987 at Kund was seven times higher then
in 1988. No seed was produced in 1989, indicating that a
2 or more years seeding cycle is likely to be occurring
in natural stands. Data for Kund (136 seeds /m2) and
Sharan (320 seeds/m2) for the 1987 indicated that large
variation in seed production exists between the
localities. Field observations also revealed that Abies
pindrow does not a persistent seed bank and seed remains
viable for less then a year in natural stands. 97% of
seeds are lost due to rodents, birds and microbial
attacks. The results indicated that low seed viability
with seed losses must have been a major factor in the
poor regeneration in fir forest, even if other soil and
micro-climatic conditions were favorable.
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June 1992
Vol. 42, Iss. 2
