Effects of storage on germination percentages and germination rates of oriental spruce (Piceaorientalis l.) seeds

EFFECTS OF STORAGE ON GERMINATION PERCENTAGES AND GERMINATION RATES OF ORIENTAL SPRUCE (Piceaorientalis L.) SEEDS This study was carried out to determine effects of long term storage process on germination percentages and germination rates of oriental spruce seeds.Seeds were used in this study belong to 15 different origin collected with TÜBİTAK Project number TOGTAG 3232. Seeds were stored at 0-5ºC for 9 years that germinatein laboratorywith four replications. 50 seeds were used in each replication. The result of germination compared with germination achieved in TOGTAG 3232 project studies. Proportional decreasing in germination percentage and germination rates by yearshow that the most suitable origins for long tern storage periods are Artvin Atila, Şavşat-Veliköy, Ardanuç-Ovacık and Ardanuç-Tepedüzü origins. Keywords: Oriental Spruce, storage periods, germination percentage, germination rates