Various factors reducing seed yield in 4 Larix species throughout the whole reproductive cycle were investigated and partitionate losses attributed to them were determined. Pollen quality, lack of pollination, and degeneration of female gametophyte pl...
Various factors reducing seed yield in 4 Larix species throughout the whole reproductive cycle were investigated and partitionate losses attributed to them were determined. Pollen quality, lack of pollination, and degeneration of female gametophyte played minor roles in reducing seed yield. Failure of pollinated ovules to be fertilized was an important factor causing seed loss. Embryo degeneration was also a major factor causing seed loss in all 4 species. Strobili abortion, which causes loss of all potential seeds in a cone, was the most important factor in reducing seed loss in this study. Based on the results obtained from this studs, hybridizations in either direction between European larch and Japanese larch are likely to resulting viable seed. However, hybridization between tamarack as a mother tree and European larch are not likely to result in viable seeds being produced.