Variability of acorn nutrient concentrations in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) genotypes

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine mineral element concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu) in various parts of pedunculate oak acorns to estimate variability in the chemical composition of different genotypes. Acorns were collected during the 1998 harvest from seventeen Quercus robur L. genotypes. Trees originated from a vegetative seed plantation Banov Brod, belonging to the Forest Estate Sremska Mitrovica (Srem, Vojvodina, Serbia). The investigation of the nutritional status of acorns revealed significant differences between the studied genotypes. Considering all genotypes, the general sequence of nutrient amounts for the entire embryo was as follows: N > K > Ca > P > Mg > Na > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn were higher for the pericarp and seed coat than for the embryo. Pericarp and seed coat nutrient concentrations showed lower variability than in the embryo, with the exception of potassium concentration.