Vol. 82 No: 4

Title:
Effect of light conditions and salinity on germination behaviour and early growth of umbrella pine (Pinus pinea L.) seed

Authors:
P.P. GANATSAS and M.N. TSAKALDIMI

pp: 605-610

Abstract:
Pinus pinea L. (umbrella pine) is a tree species distributed around the Mediterranean basin. The ecological, landscape, recreational and soil conservation uses of P. pinea, and its aesthetic value, make this species important for landscape planning and multipurpose forestry. In this study, seeds of P. pinea were collected from the two principal forests where the species is found in Greece (the Strofylia Forest, southern Greece, and the Sithonia Peninsula, northern Greece), in order to examine the effects of light conditions and soil salinity, two important environmental factors, on seed germination behaviour and early growth. The effect of light alone on seed germination was ascertained under different light regimes; while, to investigate the effect of salinity, seeds maintained in continuous light were watered with varying concentrations of NaCl and, after germination, the early growth of seedlings was monitored.The findings showed that the percentage germination of P. pinea seed is high and does not depend on light or dark conditions, while salinity markedly inhibited seed germination at NaCl concentrations of 0.05 M and above. Seedlings raised under saline conditions (0.02 M NaCl) were significantly smaller than those of the controls, especially in their below-ground structures.

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