Effects of ecological condition on seed germination of horizontal cypress in Hyrcanian forests

Abstract

Horizontal cypress is an endemic conifer species of Hyrcanian forest which grows in special sites with Mediterranean climate in this area. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of irrigation, seed source, growing media, and sowing time on seed germination of horizontal cypress in the Pilembera nursery located in West Guilan Province. The seeds were collected from three different seed sources in west (Roodbar), middle (Hassanabad), and east (Aliabad) of Hyrcanian forests. Seeds were sown in two different times (February and March) in four soil compositions (different combinations of soil, manure, and sand), irrigated by three different periods (every day, every three days, every five days), in a complete randomized block designs. The results showed maximum seed germination and highest seedlings height in Hassanabad and Aliabad which were sown in March in pots containing soil mixed with manure, irrigated every day. According to the results, successful seedling production of horizontal cypress is highly depends on seed origins and seed sowing time.