Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

Quercus robur L. (European oak) is a large, broadleaved deciduous tree characterised by its wide-spreading crown, gray-brown bark that is deeply fissured, and a short, sturdy trunk. It has the potential to live for up to 1,000 years. It belongs to the genus Quercus and family Fagaceae.  The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of tree genotype and cold-moist stratification on seed germination and seedling vigour. Seeds were collected from eighteen mother trees located at six ecologically distinct sites: Rajbagh, Lalchowk, Harwan, Hazratbal, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden, and Cheshmashahi were subjected to moist chilling treatment for a 20 to 60-day duration with a 20-day interval at 4±1^oC under laboratory and field conditions. Cold stratification is necessary to break epicotyl dormancy in white oak acorns. The duration of cold stratification needed to release dormancy depends on the degree of dormancy and can vary among populations from different elevations. Significant genotypic variation was observed among the trees in terms of germination and seedling characteristics. Seeds from tree T6 in Rajbagh exhibited superior performance, recording the highest mean daily germination (2.33), peak value (2.72), germination speed (15.54), total seedling length (49.72 cm), number of leaves per plant (12.91), and leaf area per plant (236.20 cm²). In contrast, seeds from T1 in Lalchowk consistently showed the lowest values across these parameters. Cold-moist stratification treatments revealed that both the stratification period and temperature significantly affected seed and seedling traits. A stratification duration of 60 days resulted in the highest germination speed (13.56), seedling length (44.99 cm), leaf area (234.21 cm²), and number of leaves per plant (13.82). Similarly, outdoor stratification at 6±1ºC outperformed indoor conditions, enhancing germination and seedling growth. The results indicate that stratification breaks seed dormancy by activating enzymatic systems and enhancing the availability of soluble nutrients, ultimately improving seedling vigour. The study underscores the importance of genetic selection and optimal stratification treatments in improving propagation success for Quercus robur L., offering valuable insights for conservation and afforestation efforts in temperate regions. Such findings are vital for forest conservation, afforestation planning, and the development of improved seed sources for this ecologically and economically significant tree species.