Effect of altitude on seed germination and biomass of Quercus brantii

Seed provenance testing, which is often done to determine the best seed provenance in terms of seedlings' survival and growth, is one of the common methods for seed quality evaluation and seed germination. In this research, healthy seeds of Quercus brantii Lindl. were collected from four altitudinal gradients located in Baneh. After measuring the morphological characteristics of the seeds, they were planted in a mixture of pitted and perlite soil and stored in greenhouse conditions. Then, the germination characteristics, ground and aerial biomass of seedlings were measured. The results of this study showed that the effect of altitude on diameter, length and seed weight was significant. The results of the mean comparison showed that the seeds from 1550 m taller and heavier than the others. Seed size is a trait that results from compliance with ecological conditions. Also, seed size has a significant effect on germination rate. In this research, the origin of altitude of 1550 m was introduced as the best altitude for Q. brantii species in Baneh region.