An Evaluation of the Physical Characteristics of Seeds of Selected Lilac Species for Seed Sorting Purposes and Sustainable Forest Management

Zdzisław Kaliniewicz (), Stanisław Konopka, Zbigniew Krzysiak and Paweł Tylek
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Zdzisław Kaliniewicz: Department of Heavy Duty Machines and Research Methodology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 11, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Stanisław Konopka: Department of Heavy Duty Machines and Research Methodology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 11, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Zbigniew Krzysiak: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
Paweł Tylek: Department of Forest Utilization, Engineering and Forest Techniques, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Cracow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: The aim of this study was to measure the physical attributes of seeds of selected lilac species and to describe the correlations between these properties and seed mass for seed processing and treatment. Basic physical parameters were measured in the seeds of five lilac species and the results were used to calculate aspect ratios describing seed shape and size. The average values of the measured properties ranged from 3.57 to 5.98 m s −1 for terminal velocity, from 6.20 to 9.61 mm for seed length, from 2.19 to 3.94 mm for seed width, from 0.85 to 1.21 mm for seed thickness, from 5.9 to 19.2 mg for seed mass, and from 32° to 44° for the angle of external friction. Seed mass was bound by the strongest correlations with terminal velocity (Amur lilac, Hungarian lilac, and Pekin lilac), thickness (broadleaf lilac), and width (Japanese tree lilac). Seed thickness followed by terminal velocity were the primary distinguishing features of lilac seeds. Therefore, lilac seeds should be sorted with the use of sieve separators with longitudinal openings or pneumatic separators. These devices effectively sort lilac seeds into fractions with uniform seed mass, which can facilitate the propagation of lilacs in nurseries and the production of high-quality seedlings, thus promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and production materials. In medium-sized and large seed fractions, the coefficient of variation of seed mass can be decreased by up to 50% relative to unsorted seeds.

Keywords: Syringa L.; physical properties; variability; relationship; separation; sustainable seedling production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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