ZLV Online

Abstract

For the evaluation of impact of seed quality on the growth and variability of one- and two-year-old seedlings of Norway spruce, an experiment was established in spring 2011. Seven seedlots were separated using the LA-gravity separator to four size fractions according to specific weight and size of the seeds. The used seedlots were of the mountain origin (Jeseníky Mts., Krušné hory Mts., Jizerské hory Mts., Orlické hory Mts., and the Krkonoše Mts.), of the Krkonoše Mts. foothills origin, and from the orchard of mountain spruce population at the altitude of 310 m above sea level. Height and root-collar growths, above-ground parts and roots dry matter and other morphological traits were evaluated after the first and second vegetation season in plastic greenhouse. The results do not show any relationship between size and weight of the seeds on the one hand, and the morphological characteristics of the seedlings on the other. However, the influence of origin (altitude) of the seedlots was highly significant. The largest and the heaviest seedlings were grown from seeds of the orchard and the foothills origins. One- and two-year-old seedlings of the mountain population showed significantly higher ratio of roots to the above-ground parts of plants than seedlings from the lower altitudes, which indicates the greater distribution of assimilates to roots in spruce mountain populations.