Deniz Güney, İbrahim Turna, Fahrettin Atar
Germination responses of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) seeds from different provenances to thermal treatments after longterm storage
Dendrobiology 2026, vol. 96: 1-12
https://doi.org/10.12657/denbio.096.001
Abstract:
Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) is a relict–paleoendemic species that requires priority conservation due to its ecological and genetic significance. In this study, changes in germination percentage (GP) and mean germination time (MGT) were evaluated following 11 years of storage at 0–4 °C in seeds collected from 20 populations representing the natural distribution range of the species. The effects of thermal pretreatments, including hot water (40 °C) and dry heat (90 °C), on these parameters were also assessed. Statistical analyses revealed that seed origin was the primary factor shaping germination performance, with GP values varying widely among populations, ranging from 10.04% to 78.04%. The highest germination percentage (78.04%) was recorded in the Dereli 1350–1650 m a.s.l. population. MGT values ranged from 9.88 to 15.56 days, with the longest germination time observed in the Karadağ 1650–1950 m a.s.l. population. Among the thermal experimental variants, the 90 °C dry heat treatment significantly reduced germination success, whereas the 40 °C hot water treatment produced more balanced results, closer to the control group. In addition, increasing elevation had a significant negative effect on germination success, and germination time was prolonged in high-elevation populations. Despite its limited distribution and relict–paleoendemic nature, the ability of this species to maintain a certain level of seed viability even after 11 years of storage represents a significant advantage for ex situ conservation strategies.
Keywords: storage duration, provenance, genetic erosion, thermal pretreatments, variation