Action C4. Collection of yew seeds and obtaining seedlings
Objective
The aim of the action is the yew restoration through restocking, where natural regeneration is insufficient or non-existent. Taxus baccata seedlings produced in nursery from local material (fruits harvested yew) to ensure the genetic origin of seedlings will be used.
Actions
Yew seed collection in the plantation areas, hibernation in a refrigerator and preparation for germination in greenhouse under controlled irrigation.
Getting seedlings from yew berries collected in each area. These seedlings will be acclimated to clonal orchards in the areas of the yew forests (Action C5) to be planted around the yew forests of Cardó, Serra de Llaberia, Poblet and Alta Garrotxa (Action C6).
Results
28.000 viable seeds were collected in 2012 and 2013. Of these, 541 seedlings germinated in 2014 and about 3188 were expected to the spring of 2015. Click here for more information
Thus, production was up to 3,000 seedlings in nursery, which will be planted in various yew forests, within the livestock exclusion fencing, where no regeneration is observed or by the technique of “plants tutors” that are already present in the habitat. This technique was applied for the first time in a fully Mediterranean context, adapting the structure and water stress conditions habitat in this region
Zones
Yew forests of Cosp (Rasquera, Cardó), Serra de Llaberia, Poblet and Alta Garrotxa.
Calendar
Fall 2012 – Spring 2015
Harvest
We have collected yew berries during the 2012 and 2013 falls in four different places (Garrotxa, Llaberia, Poblet and Rasquera-Cardó). Objective: to reach 3500 seedlings.
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Removing fruit cover (aril) in the laboratories of the CTFC. Treatment of seeds with sulfuric acid diluted 1/3 in order to break dormancy; washed with water and placed in a cold room at 4 °C for four months.
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With the collaboration of Dr. Xavier García (CIEF)
Testing of seed viability
The tetrazolium test indicated an average of 62% of viable seeds in fruits collected in 2014. Enough to reach the goals.
