The Effect of Cooling and Sowing Date of Pinus brutia Ten. Seeds on Reducing the Production Period and Improving Seedling Quality at Al-Hanadi Forest Nursery in Lattakia govermorate

Abstract

This research was conducted at Al-Hanadi Forest Nursery in Lattakia during 2023 and 2024 to study the effect of dry and cold storage of Pinus brutia Ten. seeds and their sowing at various autumn and winter dates on reducing the seedling production period and improving their quality in the nursery.

The results showed a clear effect of seed cooling before sowing on increasing germination rates. Treatment T2 (cooled seeds sown in December 2023) and T6 (cooled seeds sown in February 2024) achieved the highest germination percentages (76.81% and 72.44%, respectively), with statistically significant differences compared to other treatments.

Additionally, the results indicated improved growth indicators in cooled seed treatments compared to non-cooled seeds, although the control treatment T1 (non-cooled seeds sown in October 2023) showed superiority in some indicators. However, the seedlings from this treatment were of lower quality due to root deformities caused by their prolonged stay in the nursery. The best treatments in terms of seedling quality were T2 and T6.

The findings demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a winter sowing plan with Pinus brutia seeds cooled for one month to obtain high-quality seedlings, thereby reducing their nursery residency period and lowering production costs for afforestation operations.