The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, genetic predisposition and potential for early fructification of pedunculate oak trees (Quercus robur L.) using two different planting stocks: Root Production Method (RPM®) and Cell Grown (CG). The second objective was to investigate the effect of crown clearance on acorn production. This study was undertaken between 2001 and 2016 at an experimental site at Castlearchdale in Northern Ireland initially comprising of 150 CG and 150 RPM® derived one-year old Q. robur seedlings. Both tree seedling groups were each subdivided into two groups of 75 trees based on height: CG1 (20–50 cm); CG2 (>50 cm); RPM® 1 (<76 cm) and RPM® 2 (>76 cm). Viable acorns were produced by each category of tree in the seventh year after planting: CG1 - 1 tree (1.3%); CG2 - 2 trees (2.7%); RPM®1 - 6 trees (8%) and RPM®2 - 12 trees (16%). The RPM® trees were significantly (p < 0.001) taller, thicker and more likely to show early fructification than CG trees. A weak but very highly significant correlation (r = 0.23, p < 0.001) was established between height at planting and early fructification for RPM® Q. robur trees eight years later. Crown clearance in year 14 after planting had no significant effect on acorn production in the following year within the oak tree population. The genetic analysis shows no obvious genetic groupings within the treatment groups nor genetic predisposition. A similar pattern was found for samples producing acorns versus those not producing acorns.

The potential of RPM® planting stock to enhance home grown seed production in Britain and Ireland is discussed in relation to fructification dynamics of oak trees, and physiological and climatic conditions.

这项研究的主要目的是评估使用两种不同种植种群的有梗橡树（Quercus robur L.）的生长，遗传易感性和早期果糖化的潜力：根系生产法（RPM®）和细胞生长（CG）。第二个目的是研究胎冠清除对橡子产量的影响。这项研究于2001年至2016年在北爱尔兰Castlearchdale的一个实验点进行，最初包含150 CG和150RPM®衍生的一年生Q. robur。幼苗。根据高度，将两个树苗组分别分为两组，每组75棵树：CG1（20–50厘米）；CG2（> 50厘米）; RPM®1（<76厘米）和RPM®2（> 76厘米）。种植后第七年，每种树种都产生了活的橡子：CG1-1树（1.3％）；CG2-2棵树（2.7％）; RPM®1-6棵树（8％）和RPM®2-12棵树（16％）。与CG树相比，RPM®树明显更高（p <0.001），更粗，并且更有可能显示早期果实化。在RPM®Q . robur的播种高度与早期结实之间建立了微弱但非常显着的相关性（r = 0.23，p <0.001）。八年后的树木。种植后第14年的冠清除率对次年橡树种群的橡子产量没有显着影响。遗传分析显示治疗组内没有明显的遗传分组，也没有遗传倾向。发现产生橡子的样品与未产生橡子的样品相似的模式。

讨论了橡树果实的动态变化以及生理和气候条件，探讨了RPM®种植木料在英国和爱尔兰提高本地种子生产的潜力。