Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mariusz Kormanek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Utilization and Forest Techniques, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland Author-Name: Paweł Tylek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Utilization and Forest Techniques, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland Author-Name: Jacek Banach Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland Author-Name: Zdzisław Kaliniewicz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Heavy Duty Machines and Research Methodology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Title: The effect of acorn scarification on the growth and root system size of Quercus robur L. seedlings grown in nursery containers Abstract: The mechanical scarification of acorns, although requiring a significant investment of resources, is a process commonly used in container nurseries for seed preparation. Its aim is to increase the number of germinating seeds and to shorten and equalise the length of their germination period. Research results indicate that scarification also affects the production of seedlings with improved biometric parameters. However, there is limited information available on improving the structure of the root system, primarily due to the limited availability of image analysis systems for these plant parts. This study employed modern measurement methods using WinRhizo and WinFolia software (Regent Instruments Inc.; Version Pro, 2022) to comparatively analyse root system parameters, focusing mainly on their structure. The parameters of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings grown in polystyrene containers were compared with and without mechanical scarification, achieved by manually cutting off part of the acorn. After the end of the growing season, the parameters of all analysed seedlings (200 pieces) were determined, and a detailed analysis of the root system was performed on selected average individuals (64 pieces). Scarification resulted in an increase in the number of germinated seeds and grown seedlings, as well as an increase in the height and diameter of the root collar and a reduction in the variation of the obtained seedlings' parameters. Seedlings grown from scarified seeds were also characterised by a greater number of leaves with larger unit mass, which had smaller dimensions. The root system of seedlings grown from scarified seeds exhibited a higher average diameter and total volume of roots, as well as greater total length, surface area, and volume of fine roots, i.e. in the diameter range: 0.5 < D ≤ 2.0 mm. The obtained results confirmed the positive effect of seed scarification on germination and emergence efficiency, as well as on biometric features and the quality of the grown seedlings. Keywords: pedunculate oak, polystyrene container, root architecture, seed scarification, WinFolia, WinRhizo Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 10-22 Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/47/2024-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/47/2024-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202501-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:1:id:47-2024-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mouna Souihi Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology (LR16CNSTN01), National Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN), Sidi Thabet, Tunisia Author-Workplace-Name: Doctoral School of Computer Science, Communications, Design, and Environment (STICODE), Manouba, Tunisia Author-Name: Marwa Khammassi Author-Workplace-Name: Forest Ecology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Rural Engineering, Water and Forests, Ariana, Tunisia Author-Name: Habiba Kouki Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology (LR16CNSTN01), National Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN), Sidi Thabet, Tunisia Author-Name: Ismail Amri Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology (LR16CNSTN01), National Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN), Sidi Thabet, Tunisia Author-Name: Mohsen Hanana Author-Workplace-Name: Forest Ecology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Rural Engineering, Water and Forests, Ariana, Tunisia Author-Name: Lamia Hamrouni Author-Workplace-Name: Forest Ecology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Rural Engineering, Water and Forests, Ariana, Tunisia Author-Name: Yassine Mabrouk Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology (LR16CNSTN01), National Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN), Sidi Thabet, Tunisia Title: Phytochemical screening and phytotoxic activity of Pinus ponderosa (Dougl.) Lawson Abstract: Developing natural herbicides offers a potential solution to mitigate the drawbacks associated with synthetic pesticides used in an excessive quantity to safeguard agricultural crops. In this study, essential oils extracted via hydrodistillation from Pinus ponderosa needles were investigated for their chemical composition and phytotoxic activity. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS) identified twenty-three constituents, constituting 93.87% of the total oil. The predominant components were oxygenated monoterpenes (64.66%), with α-pinene (37.78%), β-pinene (24.32%), and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, particularly germacrene-D (7.26%). The phytotoxic effects of P. ponderosa essential oil were tested on Phalaris canariensis L., Trifolium campestre Schreb., and Sinapis arvensis L. The essential oil exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth in a dose-dependent manner. A low concentration of essential oil reduced the germination and seedling growth of all tested weeds. Additionally, the essential oil treatment impacted malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage in the seedlings. These preliminary findings suggest that essential oils from forest trees, particularly Pinus ponderosa, could serve as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides. This approach may contribute to addressing the challenges associated with synthetic pesticides while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Keywords: essential oil, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS), malondialdehyde (MDA), phytotoxic effect, weeds Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 1-9 Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/51/2024-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/51/2024-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202501-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:1:id:51-2024-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Radek Novotný Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Leona Vlasáková Author-Workplace-Name: Air Quality Division, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Vít Šrámek Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Václav Buriánek Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Nina Benešová Author-Workplace-Name: Air Quality Division, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Assessment of ozone impact on forest vegetation using visible foliar injury, AOT40F exposure index and MDA concentration in two meteorologically contrasting years Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate ozone (O3) phytotoxic potential using AOT40F (accumulated O3 concentration over a threshold of 40 ppb for forest protection), document visible foliar O3 injury across eight forest monitoring plots, analyse MDA (malondialdehyde) content in leaves and needles, and assess the relationship between visible injury and plot conditions. Initial findings are based on data from the 2021 and 2022 vegetation seasons. AOT40F values exceeded the critical level of 5 ppm.h-1 at all plots, with higher values in 2022. The correlation between AOT40F and visible injury was inconsistent; in 2021, minimal visible O3 injuries were observed, while these were more frequent in 2022, notably on Fagus sylvatica leaves. The altitude effect on O3 concentration indicates greater vegetation damage at higher altitudes. In contrast, the AOT40F-altitude relation was not significant. The 2021 vegetation season was characterised by lower temperatures and higher relative air humidity and soil moisture in comparison to 2022. Stomatal conductance conditions were similar in both years, except for lower soil moisture in 2022. Soil moisture, air humidity, and temperature together accounted for about 50% of the variance in visible injury in 2022. The findings suggest that the AOT40F capability for predicting damage to vegetation is limited and highlight the importance of future research focusing on stomatal O3 flux-based approaches. Keywords: European beech, malondialdehyde, Norway spruce, ozone Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 40-56 Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/57/2024-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/57/2024-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202501-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:1:id:57-2024-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Khanh Vu Ho Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Natural Resources-Environment, Kien Giang University, Kien Giang, Vietnam Author-Workplace-Name: Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary Author-Workplace-Name: Lendület Seed Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary Author-Name: Mirjana Ćuk Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Andraž Čarni Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Biology, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Workplace-Name: Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia Author-Workplace-Name: School for Viticulture and Enology, University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Slovenia Author-Name: Dragana Vukov Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia Author-Name: Miloš Ilić Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia Author-Name: László Erdös Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Ecology and Botany, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary Title: High light availability offsets low naturalness regarding diversity but cannot compensate for reduced ecological value: A case study of near-natural forests and tree plantations in Serbia Abstract: In Eastern Europe, near-natural forest patches are decreasing and are gradually replaced by non-native plantations. Tree plantations are commonly thought to be simple ecosystems with low conservation value, although this conclusion is mainly based on simple taxonomic diversity indices, which ignore functional and phylogenetic diversity. In this study, our objective was to compare species composition, diagnostic species, taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, as well as naturalness status between two near-natural forest types (Quercus-Tilia and Populus alba) and two common plantation types (non-native Pinus sylvestris and non-native Robinia pseudoacacia) in the Deliblato Sands, Serbia. Our results showed that the species composition significantly differed in the four habitats. Each habitat had some species that were significantly concentrated in them. Most of the diagnostic species in the Quercus-Tilia forests were forest specialist plant species, while those in Populus alba forests were species associated with warmer and drier habitats, whereas the plantations hosted diagnostic species with broader ecological tolerances. Native species richness, total species diversity, and functional and phylogenetic diversity were similar in the four studied habitats, which can be explained by the combined effects of light regime and naturalness. We assessed low naturalness (i.e. high degradation) in plantations, which can be expected to reduce diversity. However, higher light availability was probably able to compensate for this effect. Non-native plantations, especially Robinia pseudoacacia plantations, were the most degraded and hosted the highest non-native species richness, implying that they are ecologically undesirable. In light of our results, we suggest that near-natural forest stands should be protected and efforts to restore these forests should be given high priority. Furthermore, it is advisable to continue with a forestry strategy that involves replacing non-native plantations with native ones, such as Tilia tomentosa, in the Deliblato Sands. Keywords: degraded habitats, ecological indicators, exotic tree plantations, functional diversity, phylogenetic diversity Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 23-39 Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/59/2024-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/59/2024-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202501-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:1:id:59-2024-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vahid Etemad Author-Workplace-Name: Natural Resource Faculty, University of Tehran. Karaj, Iran Author-Name: Mohsen Javanmiri Pour Author-Workplace-Name: Natural Resource Faculty, University of Tehran. Karaj, Iran Author-Name: Zeinab Foolady Author-Workplace-Name: Natural Resource Faculty, University of Tehran. Karaj, Iran Title: Corrigendum: The importance of coarse woody debris in dynamic phases exposure in the beech (Fagus orientalis L.) stands of Hyrcanian forests Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 57 Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/11/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/11/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:1:id:11-2025-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Editorial Department Title: List of reviewers 2024 Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: I-II Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Year: 2025 File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-202501-0006_list-of-reviewers-2024.php File-Format: text/html Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:1:id:jfs-202501-0006