Flotation techniques to improve viability of Juniperus polycarpos seed lots

The germination of freshly collected Juniperus polycarpos(K. Koch) seeds is very low and attributed to the large proportion of nonviable seeds in the seed lots.Thus, the aim of this study was to improve seed lot quality by removing nonviable seeds using two flotation techniques: incubation-drying-separation(IDS) and modified specific gravity(MSG) separation. We examined different IDS conditions(the specific incubation time, subsequent drying time and sorting media) for effectively sorting out nonviable seeds; and tested the feasibility of modified SG separation, which involved soaking seeds in water for a certain period before sorting in different concentrations of sucrose solution. Viable seeds were expected to absorb and metabolically bind more water during soaking than dead seeds could, and hence be sorted effectively depending on the viscosity of the sucrose solution. The viability of the seeds that floated or sank was determined in a topographical tetrazolium chloride(TTC) test. For the IDS trial,7 days incubation followed by 9 h of drying and sedimentation in pure water or 200 g L-1sucrose solution identified, respectively, 75 and 82 % of the seeds as viable(sunken) seeds. For the MSG trail, 77 % viable seeds were recovered in the sunken fraction when seeds were soaked for 48 h then immediately sorted in 600 g L-1sucrose solution. In both cases, the loss of viable seeds in the discarded floating fraction was only 4 %. The results demonstrate that both IDS and MSG separation techniques substantially improved seed lot viability, but MSG separation is simple and needs no modern seed handling facility, and its efficacy relies on seed mass(due to the initial soaking) and the specific density and viscosity of the flotation medium.     

Effects of seed pre-soaking on the emergence and early growth of containerized Norway spruce seedlings

To study the effects of seed soaking on seedling emergence and development in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] two commercial seed lots were soaked for 15 h in aerated water. After soaking, floating and sunken seeds were separated and analyzed prior to being sown in peat-filled containers. Seedling development was followed for one growing season. All sunken seeds were viable according to radiography whereas the floating seeds contained a considerable number of larvae filled and empty seeds. Mean time of emergence of the sunken seeds was approximately 1.5 days shorter than control (i.e. dry) seeds and floating seeds. Soaking had no effect on the time taken for most germinants to emerge in both seed lots, thus failing to synchronize seedling emergence. The later a seedling would emerge, the more likely it was for it to die during the growing season or to be culled at the end of the growing season. Soaking had an inconsistent effect on stem diameter at the end of the growing season and no effect on stem or root biomass. Seedling size uniformity was equal in all treatments. This study suggests that soaking and seed sorting does not guarantee a more uniform seedling crop, but this technique may be useful in upgrading poor quality seed lots of Norway spruce containing a high number of empty or larva infested seeds.     

Enhancing germinability of Schinus molle L. seed lot from Ethiopia with specific gravity and IDS techniques

The IDS (Incubation, Drying and Separation) method was tested on Schinus molle L. seeds collected from Ethiopia in an attempt to sort non-viable from viable seeds. Seeds were incubated for 24 h followed by one, three, four, five, six, nine and twelve hours of drying and then separated in water. All IDS treatments gave 80.5–93.5% germination in the sunken fraction compared with 61% for untreated seeds. The mean germination time of sunken seeds reduced from 11.2 (control) to 8.9–9.2 days (IDS-treated). Specific gravity separation in water of untreated seeds was also tested, and the germination capacity of sunken fraction was 83.5% with a mean germination time of 9.3 days. IDS method can, therefore, be used to enhance both percentage and rate of germination of a seed lot of Schinus molle, which is desirable to produce uniform and vigorous seedlings in the nursery or out in the field.     

Petroleum flotation technique upgrades the germinability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casuarina equisetifolia</Emphasis> seed lots

The germination of Casuarina equisetifolia Forst seed lots is low (40–50%) even when freshly collected. This study aimed at upgrading the germination performance by removing non-germinable seeds using petroleum flotation technique. Seeds collected from 19 individual trees in seedling seed orchards in India were assessed using X-ray to determine the proportion of different seed lot fractions. The feasibility of petroleum ether as a separation medium was tested. Morphological characters of floating and sunken seeds were further studied using image analysis technique to examine their effects on the separation efficiency. The X-ray analysis revealed a large quantity of shrivelled, empty and insect-damaged seeds, altogether accounting 50%, which were the causes of low percentage germination of un-graded seed lots (48%). Petroleum flotation resulted in 90% germination in the sunken fraction and 4% in the floating fraction. The separation was distinct for most seed lots, except few seed lots that had relatively low germination in the sunken fractions and more than 10% germination in the floating fractions. As a whole, petroleum flotation appears to be a feasible technique to upgrade the germination of C. equisetifolia seed lots, and its efficacy is influenced by wing surface area, seed density and wing quotient of filled and empty seeds.     

Upgrading germinability of ponderosa pine seeds from Patagonia,Argentina, by adjusting prechilling periods and applying the IDS technique

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dogl. ex. Laws.) is the most planted conifer species in the forest-steppe ecotone of Patagonia, Argentina, because of its adaptability and excellent growth rates. In spite of this, and the increasing demand for this species, local commercial seed lots showed low quality, making hazardous seedling production. Aiming to upgrade germinability of a local seed lot, we set an experiment to determine the duration of the prechilling period (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 days) that promoted the highest seed germination speed (GE) and percentage (GP). Moreover, part of that lot was IDS treated, in an attempt to separate empty and dead filled seeds from viable seeds. Results showed that after 40 days prechilling, GE reached 62%, and GP 70%, both higher than the values obtained under customary conditions. The application of the IDS technique, after 40 days prechilling, 8 h drying at ambient conditions (16 ± 2°C and 50% HR), and 25% seed moisture content (mc), increased GE and GP to 68% and 89%, respectively. Optimal prechilling periods and the application of the IDS technique successfully improved germinability of ponderosa pine seeds from Patagonian stands.     

Optimal seed water content and storage temperature for preservation of Populus nigra L. germplasm

Context

Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) is an alluvial forest tree species whose genetic pool is decreasing in Europe. Poplar trees produce short-lived seeds that do not store well.

Aim

The feasibility of seed storage in conventional and cryogenic conditions after their desiccation from water content (WC) of 0.15 to 0.07 g H₂O g^?1 dry mass (g g^?1) was investigated.

Methods

Seed germinability was evaluated (seeds with a radicle and green cotyledons were counted) after storage of seeds for a period of 3 to 24 months at different temperatures: 20°, 10°, 3°, ?3°, ?10°, ?20° or ?196°C.

Results

Seeds desiccated to a 0.07 g g^?1 WC can be stored successfully at ?10 °C and ?20 °C for at least 2 years. A significant decrease in germination was observed only after 12 months of seed storage (WC 0.15 g g^?1) at temperatures above 0 °C. We demonstrated that both fresh (0.15 g g^?1 WC) and desiccated (0.07 g g^?1 WC) seeds can be preserved at ?196 °C for at least 2 years.

Conclusions

Seed storage temperature and time of storage were statistically significant factors affecting seed storability. The presented data provide a foundation for the successful gene banking of P. nigra seeds.     

Grazing exclosure increases fruit and seed production but reduces seed viability in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrtus communis</Emphasis>

Plants have compensating mechanisms to alleviate the loss of vegetative and reproductive tissues by herbivores. In this study, we evaluated how reproductive traits (size and production of fruit and seed, as well as germination and viability of seeds) of Myrtus communis (myrtle) were affected by goat grazing exclosure of forest understory in the Doñana Natural Park. One hundred and fifty myrtles were selected in three sites with similar environmental characteristics, although with a different length of grazing exclusion: (1) exclosure for 2 years (GE2); (2) exclosure for 3 years (GE3); and (3) long ago grazed plots (GE15): non-accessible to goat for at least 15 years. Fruit production, fruit and seed morphology and seed viability and germination were evaluated. Length of exclosure to goats increased fruit production, mass and volume of the fruits and seed, and endocarp mass. However, seed viability was higher in more recently grazed plots (70–90%) than in GE15 plots (51%). The final balance of viable/germinable seeds produced by an average sized myrtle in each treatment showed that the recently grazed myrtles (GE2) produced nearly five times less seeds (1200) than the myrtles grazed 15 years ago (5500). However, myrtles recovered the ability to produce viable seeds quickly, almost tripling, each year of non-grazing the number of viable/germinable seeds. The results of this study indicated that goat grazing could affect regeneration of myrtle because it reduced reproduction output and the number of viable propagules. Future studies should evaluate other related ecological aspects, such as fruit consumption by potential frugivores and seed dispersal (distance and place of seed deposition).     

Efficacy of diatomaceous earth formulations against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum Harms): influence of dosage rate and relative humidity

The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. is a key pest to stored Kersting’s groundnut, Macrotyloma geocarpum Harms. There are many reports evaluating various diatomaceous earths (DEs) against stored product pests, but there is limited information on the efficacy of these materials against C. maculatus and none on Kerstings groundnut. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the DEs, Diatomenerde, Probe-A, Fossil shield, and Damol-D1 against C. maculatus in seeds of M. geocarpum. Each DE was applied at 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, and 2.00 g kg^?1, and each treatment infested with newly emerged C. maculatus in petri dishes. The set up was maintained at 50 and 80 % RH regimes at ambient temperature. Data were collected on adult mortality (at 24 h, 48 h, 7 days, and 14 days), oviposition, and progeny emergence of the beetles, and their effects on weight loss and viability of seeds. Probe-A proved the most effective against the beetle, followed by Damol-D1 and Fossil shield. Adult mortality increased progressively with the increasing dosage of DE and exposure time. Seeds treated at 2.00 or 1.50 g kg^?1 recorded significantly lower number of eggs and F1 emergence compared with the lower dosages in all DEs. Increased DE concentration consistently decreased seed weight loss due to low beetle infestation, but there was no significant effect on seed viability. DEs were more effective at 50 % RH than at 80 % RH. Probe-A or Damol-D1 applied at 1.50 or 2.00 g kg^?1 at 50 % RH is a viable alternative for preventing C. maculatus infestation in stored Kersting’s groundnut.     

Improving the collection and germination of West African <Emphasis Type="Italic">Garcinia kola</Emphasis> Heckel seeds

Garcinia kola is highly used as chew-stick for dental care in West Africa, but it is nearly commercially extinct in nature. To help find methods to increase rate and percentage of germination, we investigated its seed germination responses by using several collections and pre-treatments. Seeds processed from 6-week old green fruits did not germinate, whilst those of 10-week old partly-mature, at the intermediate stage through full development, germinated 46%. Seeds from orange mature fruits reached maximum 54–62% germination. Radicles emerged 6 weeks after sowing and normal germination with emergence of the primary single shoot growth occurred after 12 weeks. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) between germination responses of seeds from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. Seeds did not germinate when dried to below ca. 30% MC. De-coating seeds or soaking intact seeds in a 70% ethanol solution increased germination to 82–92%, and also increased germination rate; however germination was not uniform. Because difficulties in germinating these seeds stem from the physical presence of the seed coats and the slow growth of the embryos contained therein, we recommend that fresh seeds from mature fruits be de-coated and immediately sown in preferably, an aerated medium (e.g., sawdust) for cultivation.     

Provenance and pretreatment effect on seed germination of six provenances of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Faidherbia albida</Emphasis> (Delile) A. Chev

A nursery experiment was conducted to determine the effects of seed pretreatment methods on the germination of Faidherbia albida at ICRAF, Nairobi from six provenances consisting of Awassa, Taveta, Lake Koka, Maseno, Chinzombo and Wagingombe. Seeds were subjected to five pretreatment methods namely nicking, soaking in acid, hot water, cold water and control. Germination percentages (GP), mean germination time (MGT) and germination index (GI) were calculated and the data was subjected to ANOVA. The study revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in seed treatments among provenances in all studied parameters. Highest germination among pretreatments in Awassa (99 %) and Wagingombe (80 %) was observed in nicked seeds, Chinzombo (81 %) in nicked and acid treated seeds, Lake Koka (90 %) in acid treated seeds and Taveta (28 %) and Maseno (64 %) in cold water treated seeds. Nicking gave the highest cumulative GP (69.67) while lowest GP was observed in hot water treated seeds (23.17). Acid treatment exhibited lowest MGT (8.85 days) and highest GI (2.29) while highest MGT (24.35 days) and lowest GI (0.31) were observed in control and hot water treatment respectively. Although acid treatment gave a high GP and lowest MGT and GI, nicking and soaking in cold water for 24 h is being recommended as cheaper and less hazardous pretreatment methods to improve germination in F. albida since sulphuric acid is expensive and requires proper handling techniques. Significant correlation between geo-climatic data and germination parameters of seeds subjected to different pretreatments indicates that provenances are as important as pretreatments in germination of the species.     

Shoot multiplication of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringa reticulata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">mandshurica</Emphasis> from in vitro cultured seedlings

We developed a shoot multiplication protocol for Syringa reticulata Blume var. mandshurica Hara from in vitro cultured seedlings that derived from in vitro germinated seeds. The shoots could be induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with proper plant growth regulator combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The better medium for shoot multiplication and growth was MS + 5 mg L^?1 BA + 0.5 mg L^?1 IBA + 20 g L^?1 sucrose + 7 g L^?1 agar, and the corresponding shoot induction rate was 75 %. The plantlets grew well after rooting on 1/2MS medium (macro-elements of MS medium are at half-strength) supplemented with 1 mg L^?1 IBA, and the survival percentage was >80 % at 16 weeks after transplanting.     

Screening and verification of the factors influencing somatic embryo maturation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix olgensis</Emphasis>

With embryogenic callus of Larix olgensisis, we investigated the effects of inositol, glutamine, casein hydrolysate, carbohydrate, abscisic acid and silver nitrate concentration on the maturation of the somatic embryo. Three dominant factors emerged, and we developed a response surface model based on the Box–Behnken design. We defined the optimal conditions for the maturation of somatic embryos. The contents of abscisic acid, silver nitrate, sucrose and casein hydrolysis significantly affected the amount of maturing embryos, but inositol, maltose and glutamine had no effect. By establishing a response surface model with multiple factors, we predicted that the optimal number of L. olgensis somatic embryos was 204?±?4 g^?1 on basal medium, containing 18.28 mg L^?1 abscisic acid, 5.46 mg L^?1 silver nitrate and 82.67 g L^?1 sucrose. In the verification experiments, the addition of 20 mg L^?1 abscisic acid, 5 mg L^?1 silver nitrate and 80 g L^?1 sucrose to BM yielded an average of 202.06 somatic embryos per gram. These results should guide large-scale breeding of L. olgensis.     

Effect of different pre-sowing seed treatments on the germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucaena leucocephala</Emphasis> (Lam.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia farnesiana</Emphasis> (L.)

Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia farnesiana are tree species used for several agricultural purposes in the Mediterranean region. The seeds of these species exhibit dormancy, causing delayed germination. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of pre-sowing treatments (scarification, hot water, or soaking) on seed germination of L. leucocephala and A. farnesiana. In one experiment, seeds were exposed to three pre-sowing treatments: control, sandpaper scarification, or soaking in 70°C water for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, or 24 min. In another experiment, seeds were soaked in 70°C water for 20 min, and then soaked in water at room temperature for an additional 24, 48, or 72 h or blade scarified. In general, soaking the seeds of the two species in hot water was more effective in breaking seed dormancy than scarification. Sandpaper scarification was not effective for either species. Blade scarification increased A. farnesiana seed germination to 56%, indicating that seed dormancy was mainly a consequence of hardseededness. L. leucocephala seeds collected from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) site and soaked in 70°C water for 20 min and then soaked for 24, 48, or 72 h had germination rates above 97%. Our results suggest that blade scarification of A. farnesiana seeds and soaking of L. leucocephala seeds in 70°C water for 20 min are effective treatments to break seed dormancy and enhance seed germination of these vital species.     

Endozoochory by European bison influences the build-up of the soil seed bank in subcontinental coniferous forest

The faeces of large herbivores include viable seeds of many plant species. With dung decomposition, some seeds migrate into the soil and influence seed bank build-up. However, only a few papers report evidence of this process, and only from grasslands. In forest studies, this subject has so far been neglected. Therefore, I ask in this paper whether seeds present in the dung of European bison migrate to the forest soil seed bank and influence its build-up. I sampled soil from underneath European bison dung pats and from surrounding areas (control samples). Samples were divided into shallow (0–5 cm) and deep (5–10 cm) series. Soil seed bank content was studied in the greenhouse for 2 years. The shallow seed bank under dung pats was characterized by the highest species richness (49 species) and seed density (>2,000 m^?2). Urtica dioica, Juncus effusus and Carex remota showed a demonstrable increase in seed density in the shallow seed bank underneath dung. Three years after dung deposition, seeds of endozoochoric origin influenced the soil seed bank of coniferous forest. U. dioica, J. effusus, C. remota and other species of deciduous forests and grasslands (Agrostis capillaris, Milium effusum, Polygonum hydropiper, Polygonum mite, Scrophularia nodosa, Stachys sylvatica, Veronica chamaedrys) caused an increase in seed density (by 61 %) and species richness (by 33 %) of the shallow soil seed bank underneath dung in comparison with the control soil seed bank.     

浸种处理下无患子苗期生长差异分析

以普通母树上采摘的无患子种子为试验材料,对其进行9种不同的浸种处理,即不同温度的温水（40℃、50℃、60℃）、不同浓度CuSO4+H2SO4（20%、30%、40%）溶液和HCl溶液（3%、5%、8%）,探讨不同浸种方式和水平对无患子幼苗生长的影响。结果表明：温水浸种处理下无患子幼苗的生长表现较好,40℃温水浸种明显提高幼苗苗高的生长,50℃浸种处理次之;60℃温水浸种处理对提高无患子幼苗地径生长速度在9组浸种处理中表现效果最为良好;CuSO4+H2SO4溶液和HCl溶液对无患子的苗期生长影响差异显著。综合比较,温水是促进无患子幼苗生长的最佳浸种处理方法。     

Application of near infrared spectroscopy for authentication of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> seed provenance

Authentication of seed provenance is an importance issue to avoid the negative impact of poor adaptation of progenies when planted outside their natural environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as rapid and non-destructive method for authentication of Picea abies L. Karst seed provenances. For this purpose, five seed lots from Sweden, Finland, Poland and Lithuania each were used. NIR reflectance spectra were recorded on individual seeds (n = 150 seeds × 5 seed lots × 4 provenances = 3000 seeds) using XDS Rapid Content Analyzer from 780 to 2500 nm with a resolution of 0.5 nm. Classification model was developed by orthogonal projection to latent structures-discriminant analysis. The performance of the computed classification model was validated using two test sets—internal (the same seed lots as the model but excluded during model development; n = 600 seeds) and external (seed lots not included in the model; n = 1158 seeds). For the internal test, the model correctly recognized 99% of Swedish, Finnish and Polish samples and 97% of Lithuanian seeds. For the external test samples, the model correctly assigned 81% of Swedish, 96% of Finnish, 98% of Lithuanian and 93% of Polish seeds to their respective classes. The mean classification accuracy was 99 and 95% for internal and external test set, respectively. The spectral differences among seed lots were attributed to differences in chemical composition of seeds, presumably fatty acids and proteins, which are the dominant storage reserves in P. abies seeds. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy is a very promising method for monitoring putative seed provenances and in seed certification.     

冷湿层积法对印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana）种子萌发的影响

研究赤霉素(GA3),冷湿和温度 对五个种源的印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana)种子萌发的影响.种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,然后在3(5(C温度的条件下冷藏15天.设计4个温度(10(C, 15(C, 20(C 和 25(C)条件来促进种子的萌发.结果表明,浸泡和冷湿处理明显增加种子的萌发率.在10 (C时种子的萌发率最高.总体结果表明,种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,冷湿藏15天,可以有效地促进印度冷杉和长叶云杉的种子萌发.统计数据表明,浸泡处理、温度和种源以及与温度的相互作用都对种子的萌发有明显的影响.     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus procera</Emphasis> seeds in response to stratification and smoke treatments,and detection of insect-damaged seeds with VIS + NIR spectroscopy

Seeds of Juniperus procera collected from five provenances across its geographic range in Ethiopia were subjected to cold-moist stratification at 5°C or 10°C for 6–12 weeks. The effect of aqueous smoke solution in overcoming the light requirement for germination, and the potential of visible (VIS) and near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy for sorting sound and insect-damaged seeds were also investigated. Highly significant differences in germination were detected among provenances (P < 0.0001) and stratification periods (P < 0.0001), but not between temperature regimes (P=0.111). Seeds from the south and southeast distribution ranges had higher percentage germination after 6 weeks of stratification than seeds collected from north, northwest and central ranges of distribution. The smoke treatment did not affect germination regardless of whether the seeds were exposed to light. Exposure to light increased germination capacity three fold. Sound and damaged seeds were distinguished with 90% accuracy using VIS + NIR spectroscopy. It can be concluded that dormancy in juniper seeds varies with provenances, and cold stratification for 6 weeks alleviates dormancy in some seed lots. Tentatively, smoke treatment seems ineffective in overcoming photo-dormancy in juniper seeds. VIS + NIR spectroscopy has demonstrated a great potential for sorting damaged seeds, thereby upgrading seed lot purity.     

Mini-cutting technique for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Khaya anthotheca</Emphasis>: selection of suitable IBA concentration and nutrient solution for its vegetative propagation

Khaya anthotheca is a hardwood species from Africa and recently introduced to Brazil. This species yields high-quality wood for diverse applications, but little has been done toward an effective propagation method for large-scale production in nurseries. We evaluated the effects of different concentrations of macro and micronutrients (i.e., 100, 50 and 25% of the concentration of a referenced solution) combined with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 0 and 2 g L^?1 on the survival rate of mini-stumps and the survival and adventitious rooting of K. anthotheca mini-cuttings. The mini-stumps were grown from a source of seeds imported from Ghana, West Africa. The mini-stumps survived at a high rate (97%). Consistently high shoot yields were obtained from the mini-stumps (average of 1.8 per mini-stump). High survival percentage of mini-cuttings and adventitious rooting were observed when solutions with 100 and 50% of the nutrients concentration were combined with 2 g L^?1 IBA. Histological sections analyzed through optical microscopy indicated the tissues from mini-cutting stems were juvenile, which might have stimulated adventitious rooting. These results have important implications for further work aimed at establishing propagation strategies for K. anthotheca, which are of prime importance for assisting breeding programs of this species.     

Millwood honeylocust trees: seedpod nutritive value and yield characteristics

The Millwood (MW) cultivar of the honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) tree has gained particular interest for silvopasture systems due to the production of edible, high-sugar seedpods that livestock may consume after pod drop. Two studies were conducted within an active sheep and honeylocust silvopasture to (1) estimate nutritional variability of seedpods among MW trees, and to (2) determine seedpod yields and seasonal production variation of MW trees. Seedpods were harvested from each pod-bearing MW in October 2008 and 2009, just prior to pod drop. Nutritional characteristics such as detergent fibers, crude protein, in vitro digestibility, and sugar concentrations were determined for fractionated husk and seed components. Further, MW fodder yields were estimated in 2008, 2009, and 2010 through field measurements and tree yield classification. Both ground husks and seeds were low in fiber (273 and 132 g kg^?1 neutral detergent fiber, respectively) and highly digestible (787 and 963 g kg^?1, respectively). Seed husk sugar concentrations averaged 223 g kg^?1. Based on the nutritive fractions assayed, whole ground MW seedpods grown in Virginia have a nutritional profile comparable to that of ground whole-ear dent corn (Zea mays L.) or oat (Avena sativa L.) grain. Nearly all MW trees displayed some form of alternate-bearing pattern. Average dry matter yields of pod-bearing trees were 15.8, 4.8, and 14.7 kg tree^?1 in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively. Pod yield and quality indicate MW honeylocust trees have good potential as fodder-bearing trees in temperate silvopasture systems.