Manual for seed handling

The manual explains why proper seed harvest timing, dormancy-breaking methods, seed preprocessing, pest and disease control, and nursery cultivation are fundamental to producing healthy, resilient planting stock.
Readers will gain insight into how each step—from collecting mature seeds, to applying after-ripening techniques, to protecting seeds from pests—improves germination success and reduces losses in nurseries. The document also highlights the importance of species-specific approaches and introduces an accompanying Excel table that summarizes key seed quality parameters for 37 valuable tree species.
By applying the practices described here, users can enhance seed viability and improve the survival and growth of young trees in the nurseries. These insights are especially relevant in today’s context of climate change, biodiversity decline, and increasing demand for effective forest restoration. Overall, this manual offers a concise, user-friendly foundation for anyone involved in producing high-quality seedlings for sustainable forestry and forest ecosystem recovery.