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2025 Vol.52, Issue 2 Preview Page

Plant & Forest

Optimizing seed ball composition for enhanced germination, growth, and drought resistance in Robinia pseudoacacia
Yeonggeun Song1†
,
Youngin Hwang2†
,
Dongmin Choi3
,
Hyeongkeun Kweon4
,
Gijin Han3
,
Kyeongcheol Lee3*
1Department of Forestry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
2Department of Forest Resources and Environment, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
3Sky Aviation Co., Ltd., Jeonju 54853, Korea
4Department of Crops and Forestry, Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries, Jeonju 54874, Korea
*Corresponding Author
†These authors equally contributed to this study as first author.
1 June 2025. pp. 81-93
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Abstract

Widespread land degradation from climate change and human activities has disrupted forest ecosystems and hindered natural restoration. This study evaluated seed balls with varying soil compositions and bio-polymers for restoring vegetation in extreme environments. We examined their effects on the physical properties, germination, and early growth of Robinia pseudoacacia under drought stress. The results showed that seed ball hardness was the lowest in the 100% clay (C100) treatment (15.8 ± 3.4 mm), whereas, the 50% clay (C50) treatment and 30% clay (C30) treatment groups exhibited significantly higher hardness values of 24.8 ± 1.0 mm and 24.0 ± 1.3 mm, respectively, similar to those of the 0% clay (C0) treatment. Additionally, the C0 treatment group exhibited the lowest germination rate (9.4 - 18.8%), along with poor germination speed and uniformity, suggesting that excessive leaf mold content may harden the internal structure of seed balls, thereby inhibiting seed water uptake. Analysis of photosynthetic indicators revealed that maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (ΦPo) and performance index on absorption basis (PIABS) were highest in the C50 treatment group, whereas, they were 7 and 14% lower, respectively, in the C100 treatment group. In contrast, dissipated energy per reaction center (DIo/RC) was 27% higher in C100 compared to C50, indicating that higher clay content leads to reduced photosynthetic efficiency and increased energy dissipation. This suggests that excessive clay content may limit oxygen and water diffusion within the seed ball, thereby impairing photosynthetic mechanisms. A C50 ratio was optimal for germination, early growth, and maintaining seed ball hardness, making it the most suitable composition for restoration efforts in degraded areas.

Keywords
chlorophyll a fluorescence
forest restoration
germination properties
Robinia pseudoacacia
seed ball
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Information
  • Publisher :Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University
  • Publisher(Ko) :충남대학교 농업과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
  • Journal Title(Ko) :농업과학연구
  • Volume : 52
  • No :2
  • Pages :81-93
  • Received Date : 2025-03-20
  • Revised Date : 2025-04-08
  • Accepted Date : 2025-04-15
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7744/kjoas.520202
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