J. For. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/42/2025-JFS

Development of sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seed coating material against rodents and evaluation of its performance on seed germination and emergenceOriginal Paper

Mesut Tandoğan ORCID...1, Mehmet Özdemir ORCID...1, Vedat Aslan ORCID...1, Ahmet F. Hacıyusufoğlu ORCID...2, Ali Ayhan Kul ORCID...1, Emine Şen ORCID...3, Kaan Polatoğlu ORCID...3, Duygu Sultan Oran ORCID...4, Feyza Arıcıoğlu ORCID...5, İlhami Turan ORCID...6, Salih Atmaca ORCID...7
1 Marmara Forestry Research Institute, Istanbul, Türkiye
2 Aydın Vocational School, Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Türkiye
3 School of Pharmacy, Altınbaş University, Istanbul, Türkiye
4 Experimental Research and Skills Development Center, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
5 School of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye
6 Western Black Sea Forestry Research Institute, Bolu, Türkiye
7 Forest Management Directorate, Bahçeköy, Istanbul, Türkiye

Protecting sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seeds from rodents is crucial to ensure successful germination and emergence in activities such as artificial regeneration, afforestation, and seedling production. This study examined the effects of 12 natural or nature-identical substances, believed to have repellent properties, on the germination, emergence, and survival of sessile oak acorns under both laboratory and field conditions. Acorns were coated using a diatomaceous clay-based pellet system, and a Y-maze experiment was conducted to evaluate rodent behaviour. As a result of the research, among the tested substances, Ferulago confusa and Foeniculum vulgare were recommended as rodent repellents due to their success in laboratory and field trials. Diesel fuel + hair, a conventional repellent, showed poor performance and is not recommended. This study underscores the potential efficacy of natural or nature-identical coatings for protecting seeds from pests in forestry applications.

Keywords: acorn; afforestation; repellent; seed coating; sowing

Received: May 27, 2025; Revised: July 24, 2025; Accepted: August 5, 2025; Prepublished online: September 14, 2025 

Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    Supplementary files:

    Download file42-2025-JFS_ESM_S1.pdf

    File size: 1 MB

    Download file42-2025-JFS_ESM_S2.mp4

    File size: 18.86 MB

    References

    1. Akkemik Ü. (2016): Türkiye'nin Doğal Meşe (Quercus L.) Türlerinin Yayilişi ve Botanik Özellikleri. In: Uluslararasi Katilimli Meşe Çaliştayi, İğneada, Oct 18-20, 2016: 83. (in Turkish)
    2. Aydin O., Tursun N. (2010): Determination of allelopathic effects of some plant originated essential oils on germination and emergence of some weed seeds. KSU Doğa Bilimleri Dergisi, 13: 11-17. (in Turkish)
    3. Başaran U., Doğrusöz M.Ç. (2022): The efficiency of priming and seed coating based on organic compounds in seedling growth and traits of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6: 667-679.
    4. Bouchard P., Hsiung C.C., Yaylayan V.A. (1997): Chemical analysis of defense secretions of Sipyloidea sipylus and their potential use as repellents against rats. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 23: 2049-2057. Go to original source...
    5. Boydak M., Çalişkan S. (2014): Ağaçlandirma. Ankara, OGEM Vakfi: 714. (in Turkish)
    6. Burwash M.D., Tobin M.E., Woolhouse A.D., Sullivan T.P. (1998): Laboratory evaluation of predator odors for eliciting an avoidance response in roof rats (Rattus rattus). Journal of Chemical Ecology, 24: 49-66. Go to original source...
    7. Climate Data (2024): Istanbul Climate (Turkey). Oedheim, AM Online Projects. Available at: https://en.climate-data.org/asia/turkey/istanbul/istanbul-715086/
    8. Crocker D.R., Scanlon C.B., Perry S.M. (1993): Repellency and choice: Feeding responses of wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) to cinnamic acid derivatives. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 38: 61-66. Go to original source...
    9. Çalişkan S. (2014): Germination and seedling growth of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.): Effects of provenance, temperature, and radicle pruning. iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 7: 103-109. Go to original source...
    10. Demir İ., Özdemir A., Karaca K. (2017): Farkli Toprak Su Kapasitelerinde Şeker Pancari (Beta vulgaris Saccharifera L.) Çeşitlerinin Çimlenme Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi. In: 12. Tarla Bitkileri Kongresi, Kahramanmaraş, Sept 12-15, 2017: 142. (in Turkish)
    11. Dielenberg R.A., McGregor I.S. (2001): Defensive behavior in rats towards predatory odors: A review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 25: 597-609. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Einhellig F.A., Leather G.R., Hobbs L.L. (1985): Use of Lemna minor L. as a bioassay in allopathy. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 11: 65-72. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Geary T.F., Millier W.F. (2010): Pelleting small volumes of Eucalyptus seeds for precision sowing. South Africa Forestry Journal, 121: 79-83. Go to original source...
    14. Genç A. (1989): Bati Anadolu Bölgesinde Palamut Meşesi (Quercus aeglops L.) Ağaçlandirma Tekniği. Ormancilik Araştirma Enstitüsü Yayinlari, Teknik Bülten No. 212. Available at: https://www.ogm.gov.tr/icanadolu/yayinlarimiz-sitesi/Yayinlarimiz/Teknik%20B%C3%BClten/0212%20-%20Bat%C4%B1%20Anadolu%20B%C3%B6lgesinde%20Palamut%20Me%C5%9Fesi%20(Quercus%20aegilops%20L.)%20A%C4%9Fa%C3%A7land%C4%B1rma%20Tekni%C4%9Fi.pdf (in Turkish)
    15. Girard Q., Ducousso A., Boubée De Grammont C., Louvet J.M., Reynet P., Musch B., Kremer A. (2022): Provenance variation and seed sourcing of sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] in France. Annals of Forest Science, 79: 27. Go to original source...
    16. Govinden-Soulange J., Levantard M. (2008): Comparative studies of seed priming and pelleting on percentage and meantime to germination of seeds of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). African Journal of Agricultural Research, 3: 725-731.
    17. Gülcü S. (2009): Ağaçlandirma. Available at: https://www.yumpu.com/tr/document/read/15422977/ksmi-ekim-yontemleri (in Turkish)
    18. Günay A. (1977): Tohum Kaplamaciliğinda Metot Geliştirilmesi, Değişik Kaplama Maddelerinin Kullanilma İmkanlari ve Kaplanmiş Tohumlarin Bazi Özellikleri Üzerinde Araştirmalar. Ankara, Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture: 658. (in Turkish)
    19. Haciyusufoğlu A.F. (2015): Peletle Tohum Kaplama İlkeleri. In: 29. Ulusal Tarimsal Mekanizasyon ve Enerji Kongresi, Diyarbakir, Sept 2-5, 2015: 232-234. (in Turkish)
    20. Hansen S.C., Stolter C., Imholt C., Jakob J. (2016): Plant secondary metabolites as rodent repellents: A systematic review. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 42: 970-983. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. ISTA (1996): International Rules for Seed Testing 1996. Seed Science and Technology, 24 (Supplement). Zurich, International Seed Testing Association: 335.
    22. ISTA (2011): Relationship between tetrazolium and germination tests. ISTA Annual Meeting, 11: 15-45.
    23. İşler N. (2012): Şeker pancari islahi. Antakya, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Field Crops Department. Available at: https://studylibtr.com/doc/563558/şeker-pancari-islahi (in Turkish)
    24. Koirala N., Barker D., Gesch R.W., Heller N.J., Hard A.W., Wells S.S., Phippen W.B., Lindsey A.J. (2023): Seed pelleting and storage effects on germination of pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.). Crop Science, 63: 3025-3036. Go to original source...
    25. Madsen M.D., Davies K.W., Williams C.J., Svejcar T.J. (2012): Agglomerating seeds to enhance native seedling emergence and growth. Journal of Applied Ecology, 49: 431-438. Go to original source...
    26. Marquis D.A., Eckert P.L., Roach B.A. (1976): Acorn Weevils, Rodents, and Deer All Contribute to Oak-Regeneration Difficulties in Pennsylvania. Res. Pap. NE-356. Upper Darby, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 5.
    27. Mehrabi H.R., Chaichi M.R. (2012): Effect of seed coating methods on germination speed of Onobrychis sativa at different drought stress levels and sowing depths. International Proceedings of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering (IPCBEE), 28: 246-249.
    28. MGM (2024): Erinç İklim Siniflandirmasina Göre Türkiye İklimi. Ankara, Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü (General Directorate of Meteorology). Available at: https://www.mgm.gov.tr/files/iklim/iklim_siniflandirmalari/erinc.pdf (in Turkish)
    29. OGM (2012): Orman Genel Müdürlüğü (General Directorate of Forestry). İstanbul OBM, Bahçeköy, Kemerburgaz, Kanlica, Çatalca Orman İşletme Müdürlüğü, Fonksiyonel Amenajman Planlari. (in Turkish)
    30. OGM (2020): Türkiye Orman Varliği. Ankara, Orman Genel Müdürlüğü (General Directorate of Forestry). Available at: https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/ormanlarimiz/Turkiye-Orman-Varligi (in Turkish)
    31. OGM (2024): Orbis Türkiye. Ankara, Orman Genel Müdürlüğü (General Directorate of Forestry). Available at: https://orbis.ogm.gov.tr/orbis/#geoportal/geogeoportal (in Turkish)
    32. Ostroshenko V.Y., Akimov R.Y., Gamaeva S.V., Inshakov S.V., Ostroshenko V.V., Ostroshenko L.Y., Zamyshlyaev S.V. (2018): Formation of the seed layer from the organomineral mixture during the seed pelleting of coniferous tree species. Eurasian Journal of Biosciences, 12: 77-82.
    33. Örtel E. (2011): Sapli Meşe (Quercus robur L.)'nin Marmara Bölgesi Orijinlerinin Tohum, Fidecik ve Fidan Özellikleri. Teknik Bülten No 15. Bolu, Bati Karadeniz Ormancilik Araştirma Enstitüsü Yayinlari: 67. (in Turkish)
    34. Özbey G., Atamer N. (1987): Kizelgur (Diyatomit) Hakkinda Bazi Bilgiler. In: 10. TMMOB Maden Mühendisleri Odasi, Türkiye Madencilik Bilimsel ve Teknik Kongresi, Ankara, May 11-15, 1987: 493-502. (in Turkish)
    35. Patel M. (2015): Importance and Recent Development in Seed Coating in Fodder Seeds. Enkhuizen, Incotec: 15. Available at: https://www.dairyknowledge.in/sites/default/files/incotec-presentation.pdf
    36. Podlaski S.Z., Wzorek H., Chomontowski C.M. (2019): Effects of the physicochemical properties of pellets on the germination of pelleted sugar beet seeds. International Agrophysics, 33: 175-183. Go to original source...
    37. Quiros L., Arce J. (1998): Effects of drying on Costa Rican oak (Quercus costaricensis Lieb.) seed germination and preservation of stored seed lots. Revista Forestal Centro Americana, 7: 10-15.
    38. Radvanyi A. (1972): Protecting coniferous seeds from rodents. Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 5: 29-35.
    39. Smith D.M., Larson B.C., Kelty M.J., Ashton P.M.S. (1997): The Practice of Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology. New York, Wiley: 537.
    40. Sullivan T.P., Sullivan D.S., Crump D.R., Weiser H., Dixon E.A. (1988): Predator odors and their potential role in managing pest rodents and rabbits. Proceedings of the Thirteenth Vertebrate Pest Conference, 13: 145-150.
    41. Taşdemir C., Karatay H. (2007): Elaziğ Yöresinde İran Palamut Meşesi (Quercus brantii Lindl.) ve Saçli Meşe (Quercus cerris L.)'de Bazi Fidanlik ve Ağaçlandirma Tekniklerinin Araştirilmasi. Araştirma Bülteni, 310/21, No: 13. Elaziğ, Çevre ve Orman Bakanliği, Güneydoğu Anadolu Ormancilik Araştirma Enstitüsü: 115. (in Turkish)
    42. Taylor A.G., Allen P.S., Bennet M.A., Bradford K.J., Burris J.S., Misra M.K. (1998): Seed enhancements. Seed Science Research, 8: 245-256. Go to original source...
    43. Tettero F. (2012): Smart Seed Coating and Pelleting. ISTA Presentation. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/tettero-2012-ista-june11-seminar-1355-tetteroo-pdf/275653354
    44. Tian F., Chen W., Wu C.E., Kou X., Fan G., Li T., Wu Z. (2019): Preservation of Ginkgo biloba seeds by coating with chitosan/nano-TiO2 and chitosan/nano-SiO2 films. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 126: 917-925. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    45. Uğurlu S., Çevik İ. (1991): Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesinde Bazi Meşe Türlerinin Ekim Yoluyla Ağaçlandirma Tekniği. Teknik Bülten No. 214. ODC. 232. 323. Ankara, Ormancilik Araştirma Enstitüsü Yayinlari. Available at: https://www.ogm.gov.tr/icanadolu/yayinlarimiz/teknik-bulten (in Turkish)
    46. Vernet-Maury E., Constant B., Chanel J. (1992): Repellent effect of trimethyl thiazoline in the wild rat Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout. In: Doty R.L., Müller-Schwarze D. (eds): Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 6. Boston, Springer: 305-310. Go to original source...
    47. Villalobos A., Olsson G., Birkedal M., Löf M. (2019): The effects of four repellents on bank vole consumption and germination of beech nuts and acorns. New Forests, 50: 241-254. Go to original source...
    48. Willoughby I., Jinks R.L., Morgan G.W., Pepper H., Budd J., Mayle B. (2010): The use of repellents to reduce predation of tree seed by wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) and grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis G.). European Journal of Forest Research, 130: 601-611. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return