Relationship between seed vigour and fumarase activity in Picea abies, Pinus contorta, Betula pendula and Fagus sylvatica

Germination and fumarase activity were assayed using untreated, primed and artificially aged seeds of Picea abies (L.) Karst, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. and Betula pendula Roth. Printing at restricted and controlled moisture content significantly decreased mean germination time of all three species, while artificial ageing significantly increased mean germination time of Picea abies and Pinus contorta seeds. The correlation between mean germination time and fumarase activity was significant for all three species (Picea abies, r(2)=0.77; Pinus contorta, r(2)=0.80; and Betula pendula, r(2)=0.82). The result indicates that the relationship between mean germination time and fumarase activity can be developed into a reliable method of predicting seed vigour of Picea abies, Pinus contorta and Betula pendula seeds using fumarase activity. Germination and fumarase activity were assayed also using untreated, stratified and hormone treated Fagus sylvatica L. seeds. The fumarase activity in non-dormant seeds was about two times higher than in dormant seeds, indicating that it may be possible to use fumarase activity as a measure of dormancy degree.