Effect of Stratification Media and Duration on Germination and Seedling Growth of Quercus glauca Thunb

Quercu glauca, in lower Himalaya, has restricted occurrence, poor germination and regeneration capacities. Keeping these points in view seven stratification media and three durations were tested to improve germination and performance of seedlings grown under open nursery and shaded conditions. Mean while nutrient content of the soil media was analyzed. Stratification media had significant effect on germination of open nursery conditions but not under shaded conditions. Stratification duration had significant effect on germination, number of lateral roots, shoot height, number of leaves and leaf area of both growing conditions. Later one also had significant effect on collar diameter and root length of seedlings grown under shaded condition only. In general, seedlings grown under shaded conditions had better performance over seedlings grown under open nursery conditions. It was observed that, number of lateral roots, shoot height, and leaf area were higher in 15 days stratification duration; while number of leaves, were higher in 30 days stratification duration and germination per cent was higher in 45 days stratification duration. Thus, it was recommended to use shade growing condition with 15 or 45 days stratification duration to improve seedling growth or germination of the species.