Growth responses of seedlings produced by parent seeds from specific altitudes

Abstract

Restoration activities in semi-arid Mediterranean areas like Greece face many obstacles, such as summer droughts that are becoming more intense with climate change, that pose limitations to transplanting success. Seedlings for restoration must be of high quality; a vigorous root system is critical to enable seedlings to tolerate adverse conditions. Here we investigated the effects of altitude and source parent for seeds on the growth of subsequent seedlings to determine the best seed sources for obtaining highest-quality, most-tolerant seedlings for restoration efforts. Seeds of Quercus coccifera L. were collected on an altitudinal gradient of 50 m (200, 250 and 300 m a.s.l.) and from specific parents at each altitude. Subsequent seedlings were grown for 3 months in a greenhouse with controlled irrigation. The results indicated a strong altitudinal and parental seed effect on seedling characteristics. As altitude decreased, biomass of the seedlings increased, and they developed more vigorous roots and more photosynthetic leaf tissue. Thus, altitude and parent are critical factors to consider when producing seed-derived seedling. By collecting seeds from a specific altitude and parent, more vigorous and stress-tolerant seedlings can be obtained to enhance transplanting success.