摘要：The efficient production of western white pine seedlings (Pinus monticola Douglas ex D. Don) has historically been a challenge for growers in the Northwestern United States. Great progress has been made in unlocking the dormancy of this species, resulting in better, more uniform seedling crops, but room for improvement remains. This article addresses the discrepancy between seed stratification protocols for lab germination tests, on which sowing calculations are based, and stratification protocols for operational sowing. The goal was to develop a repeatable lab stratification approach to mirror as closely as possible the results of improved operational stratification methods. Results showed that alternative lab stratification approaches outperformed standard lab protocols, thereby providing a better measure of operational greenhouse performance. Comparisons between this study, which was performed without bleach as a surface sterilant, and an earlier trial of the same seedlots using a bleach rinse, suggest that a surface treatment can elevate germination capacity in western white pine.
