Investigation of properties and sowing qualities of forest seeds of european larch

Abstract

The paper dwells upon size-quality characteristics of cones and sowing qualities of European larch seeds harvested from different plantations (forest cultures and seed plantation), their age being different. As a result of the investigation it has been identified that qualitative and quantitative characteristics of European larch forest seeds harvested from forest and seed plantations show no considerable differences. A significant difference has been found for sowingqualities of seeds. It has been stated that with increasing age the seed germination increases from 0–20% (biological age of 8 years) to 34.5–35.6% (biological age of 10 years). The paper gives some recommendations on European larch cones harvesting taking into account its biological features.