Effect of moist pre-chilling treatment to various seed pericarp condition on seed germination in Aodamo (<i>Fraxinus lanuginosa</i>)

Fraxinus lanuginosa , a species native to Japan, is significant in the broad-leaved, cool-temperate forests of Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Honshu. This species—known locally as “Aodamo”—is highly valued for its premium wood and aesthetic qualities, which are highly demanded for athletic goods. The natural populations of F. lanuginosa are declining due to some factors affecting the plant's ability to regenerate, including animal damage, competition from ground cover, low temperatures following seed dissemination, and seed dormancy mechanisms. The effects of pericarp condition and moist pre-chilling on the germination of F. lanuginosa seeds are examined in this study. Before experiments, seeds were exposed to varying pericarp conditions (intact, artificially broken, removed) and chilling times (0, 1, 3 months). The results show that, compared to other treatments, seeds lacking pericarp and those that underwent three months of moist pre-chilling showed considerably increased germinability, faster germination rates (lower T50), and enhanced germination parameters. The study emphasizes how important pericarp conditions and chilling times are in breaking seed dormancy and suggests that ideal pre-chilling conditions can increase the effectiveness of seed germination. These results are critical to enhancing artificial regeneration procedures to encourage long-term F. lanuginosa population management.