Germination of Anatolian Black Pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) Seeds from the Lakes Region of Turkey: Geographic Variation and Effect of Storage

Abstract

Effects of 10-year storage on germination of seeds in 191 Anatolian Black Pine trees from 23 populations in the Lakes Region of Turkey were investigated. Germination tests were conducted with both fresh (in year 1999) and stored (in year 2009) seeds and variation in germination was related to geographic features of the populations. Significant reductions in germination rate (from 79.93% to 30.68%) and germination percentage (from 95.99% to 58.41%) were observed after 10-year storage. Germination characteristics seem to be associated with humidity of population locations. Seeds from more inland (i.e., continental) populations germinated slower but attained higher germination percentage for both seed sets. Germination percentage of stored seeds is highest at elevations with high humidity. Greater attention should be given to environmental conditions of seed sources in storing Anatolian Black Pine seeds in the Lakes Region of Turkey as it is a very important tool in ensuring continuous seedling production and genetic conservation.