The role of phytic acid in storage of acorns of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.)

Sašo Žitnik and Hojka Kraigher (1999) The role of phytic acid in storage of acorns of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva (59). pp. 55-87. ISSN 0351-3114

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Abstract

The aim of the research is to develop new cheap and practical methods for long-term storage of acorns of sessile oak, because today it is possible to store them only for few months (recalcitrant seeds). The research is based on the hypothesis, that the vitality of acorns after long-term storage is in positive correlation with the content of phytic acid in them, which is in positive correlation with the content of available phosphorus in soil. The experiment is established as a case study on two plots of sessile oak, which essentially differ in the content of phosphorus in leaves, which is used as anindicator of available phosphorus in soil. The acorns were collected in October 1997 and stored for 9 months until August 1998. Before the storage andevery three months the following analysis were done: germination and moisture, nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg) and phytic acid content in acorns. The results show that the plot, which has higher content of phosphorus in leaves, has also a higher content of phosphorus and phytic acid in acorns and the germination is better. The differences can be observed only at the beginning of the storage, later on they disappear. The results show that there could be a positive correlation between the vitality of acorns after long-term storage,the content of phytic acid in them and the content of phosphorus in soil. However, the data are not yet sufficient to prove statistical significant differences.

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