The Influence of Spruce Seeds Longevity on Their Practical Germinating Ability

Abstract

Introduction. In the Republic of Mari El, harvesting of a great many spruce seeds and laying them on long-term storage is first and foremost explained with a vast periodicity of seeding (up to 4 years). There are no many researches on dynamics of spruce germinating capacity on long storage. Germinating capacity of seeds for the last day of germinating with no analysis of germinating capacity in the days of intermediate accounting are considered in most of the existing researches. The goal of the research is to define the optimum storage period for the spruce seeds and to analyze the dynamics of their germinating capacity on long storage. Objects and methods . The seeds were harvested in the Republic of Mari El in winter- 2007/2008 in the middle-aged, ripening and mature stands. All the harvested seeds fall under the category of natural seeds. The germinating apparatus of forest plants PLUS.441352.001 RE was used to define the germinating capacity of seeds at a water temperature of 24 ºС (night mode) and 36 ºС (day mode). One hun-dred seeds in four repetitions of each of 14 seed lots were used