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

Following the Pistacia sp., the Juniper (Juniperus spp.) is associated with the second largest spatial distribution in Iran. However, the historical Juniper habitats have been largely decreased as a result of the low rate of natural regeneration, which calls for an increased effort on rehabilitation of Juniper habitats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects caused by maternal stand morphology and irrigation on survival and growth parameters of Greek juniper (J. excelsa M. B.) during a 4 four-year period in Sirachal research station in Alborz province. Twenty seedlings with three different maternal stand morphologies including A (cylindrical), B (non-cylindrical) and C (high seed production) were planted within complete randomized blocks in split plots. Seedlings were irrigated every fifteen, thirty and forty days in the first year (2010), while those in the control treatment 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. The effect of maternal stand morphology was significant only on current diameter growth in the first year. In the second year, the effect of maternal stand morphology was the only significant effect on crown. After four years of measurement, the effect of irrigation was significant on crown. Our findings showed that one irrigation during the entire planting time is an important necessity in of Juniper establishment, and should be concerned in the rehabilitation of its habitats. Furthermore, Juniper establishment and growth using trees with C morphology will be effective in habitat rehabilitation due to the effects of maternal stand morphology on seedlings survival.