Condition of the permanent forest seed base objects of the Slavuta Forestry branch of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”

The permanent forest seed base (PFSB) serves as the foundation for the procurement of improved selective seeds for forest regeneration and afforestation. Analysing the condition of PFSB objects enables the evaluation of the quality and quantity of valuable reproductive material used in forestry. This study encompassed: an analysis of the formation and localisation of PFSB objects under the conditions of the Slavuta Forestry branch; an investigation of the condition and selective structure of forest genetic reserves and plus stands; and an analysis of the dynamics of forest nursery production development within the branch. Within the forest fund of the branch, 27 plus trees of common oak and Scots pine were selected. The total area of permanent forest seed plots amounted to 71.3 hectares. The survey results indicated that the examined plus trees of common oak (7 trees) in the Partyzanske Forestry are in good to satisfactory condition, predominantly belonging to the 2nd selective category, and demonstrated a satisfactory level of reproduction. To establish permanent forest seed plots with optimal characteristics, it was recommended to gradually thin the stands and prune tree crowns. It had been determined that the seedling seed orchard of European larch (Zhukivske Forestry, compartment 8, plot 41, area 2.0 hectares, established in 2010) was in good condition, exhibits a high level of reproduction, and meets all required standards. Research findings indicated that the quality of forest seeds collected from PFSB objects was sufficiently high. Specifically, in 2021 and 2022, nearly all seeds (80% and 100%) were classified as Grade I and Grade II quality, with no substandard seeds detected. The efficiency of utilising permanent forest seed base objects within the enterprise was high, as in productive years, the maximum amount of seeds was collected, fully meeting the enterprise’s needs. Data on the condition of PFSB objects are critically important for implementing measures related to forest regeneration and afforestation