Table 1 Physical characteristics, nutrient content, and moisture content of large, medium, and small Quercus variabilis acorns. Fresh weight, length, and diameter measurements were based on data for 220 large, 487 medium, and 493 small acorns. Results for other parameters were based on data for 50 acorns of each size class. All parameters were measured after mixing the acorns of the 20 mother trees and acorn processing by water flotation and air drying
Variables | Acorn size class | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Small | Medium | Large | |
Proportion in the batch (%) | 41.1 | 40.6 | 18.3 |
Acorn fresh weight (g) | 2.88 ± 0.09c | 4.18 ± 0.10b | 5.52 ± 0.27a |
Acorn mass (g) | 1.35 ± 0.02c | 1.77 ± 0.11b | 2.32 ± 0.10a |
Acorn moisture content (%) | 53.2 ± 1.1c | 55.9 ± 0.7b | 58.7 ± 0.9a |
Nitrogen content (mg acorn−1) | 13.1 ± 0.2c | 21.2 ± 1.4b | 29.1 ± 1.2a |
Phosphorus content (mg acorn−1) | 1.74 ± 0.08c | 3.75 ± 0.29b | 5.38 ± 0.25a |
Potassium content (mg acorn−1) | 13.1 ± 0.3c | 21.6 ± 1.4b | 30.7 ± 1.7a |