Effects of seed sowing density and seed sowing depth on some seedling morphological traits of the Iranian oak

Effects of seed sowing density (50, 70 and 90 seeds/m2) and seed sowing depth (0, 5, 7 and 9 cm) in the nursery seedbed on a variety of seedling morphological traits of the Iranian oak were studied at Erzincan Forest t Nursery, Erzincan. Different kinds of seedling morphological characteristics such as seedling height, seedling diameter, stem and root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, stem dry weight/root dry weight, seedling height/seedling root diameter were measures in 1+0 year old bare root seedlings..Seed sowing density and seed sowing depth affected some seedling morphological characteristics of 1+0 year old seedlings. Seed sowing depth affected some seedling morphological characteristics of 1+0 year old seedlings. Seedling root diameter, root dry weight and seedling quality index were the highest in the seedlings produced from 50 and 70 seeds/m2 in nursery seedbed. 90 seeds/m2 produced the lowest seedling morphological parameters. Seed sowing depth also affected some seedling morphological characteristics of 1+0 year old seedlings. Seed sowing depth at 7 and 9 cm produced the highest seedling quality index and root dry weight. Seedling dry weight was the highest at 7 cm seed sowing depth. Seedling dry weight and seedling quality index were the lowest at 0 and 5 cm seed sowing depth. In conclusion, it can be stated that Quercus brantii seed can be sown at 7 or 9 cm seed sowing depth and at a density of 50 and 70 seeds/m2,Key Words: Quercus brantii, seed sowing depth, seed sowing density, seedling morphology, seedling quality