Effects of seed trees age and one year seed storage on seed germination of Sorbus torminalis

In 2000, fourty seed trees which were located at Sanghdeh Forest of Caspian Region with altitude ranged between 1700 to 2300 m-above sea level, were selected. 200 seeds were collected from each tree, subsequently. The seeds were sown in 2000 and in 2001 repeatedly, in plastic bage containg forest soil and kept in a forest nursery located at the same forest at 1550 m. above sea level altitude. Seed germination and seedling survival was measured in 2000 and 2001. According to T-Test data analysis, there were significant differences between seed germinatin and seedling survival of the treatments in both years. Total seed germination (TSG) in 2000 was 9.22% more than TSG in 2001. Seed germination was correlated significantly and negatively with the seed trees age and diameter. Seed trees with moderate age and at diameter class of 30 cm, performed the highest percentage of seed germination in 2000 (without seed storage). There was minimum reduction in seed germination for seeds collected from trees at moderate diameter class and stored for one year.