Effects of Water Stress and Temperature on Germination of True Mountainmahogany

Abstract

The effects of five levels of available water and four constant temperature regimes upon the germination of two ecotypic collections of true mountainmahogany (Cercocarpus montanus Raf.) were investigated. Results indicate that moisture stress significantly decreases both the rate and final amount of germination in this species. The amount of moisture stress required to cause these decreases was found to be dependent upon both the seed source and the temperature. Temperature was found to be more important in determining the rate than the amount of germination.