Effect of maternal tree phenotype and irrigation on survival and growth of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. B.) seedlings in Sirachal research station

Abstract

The Juniperus habitat has the second most natural distribution in Iran after the pistachio. The habitat area of Junipers has decreased due to its low rate of natural regeneration which makes the rehabilitation of this species very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maternal treemorphology and irrigation on survival and growth parameters of Greek juniper (J. excelsa M. B.) in Sirachal research station in a four years period. Twenty produced seedlings from three different maternal treemorphology including A (cylindrical), B (non-cylindrical) and C (high production of seed) were planted in Sirachal research station as complete random blocks in split plots with three replications in 2010. Seedlings were irrigated every fifteen, thirty and forty days in the first year. Controls were not irrigated. Statistical analysis showed that in the first year, the effect of irrigation was significant on growth parameters including current diameter growth, current height growth and crown cover. The effect of maternal treemorphology was significant only on current diameter growth in the first year. In the second year, only the effect of maternal treemorphology was significant on crown cover. After four years of measurement, the effect of irrigation was significant on crown cover. According to our finding, it seems, irrigation for one time in planting time, is an important necessity for Juniper establishment and should be concerned in rehabilitation of habitats.  In addition, due to the effects of maternal treemorphology on seedlings survival, establishment and growth, using trees with C morphology will be effective in juniperus rehabilitation habitat