• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.234-244
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• 2013

This study was conducted to determine the factors affecting to seed characteristics and seedling growth of Zelkova serrata. The seeds were collected from sixteen populations of Z. serrata and the seed characteristics (i.e., seed length, width, weight and full seed rate) were measured. We also measured the 1-year-old seedling growth of each population at nursery. All seed characteristics showed significant differences in population level. Seed length and seed width were positively correlated with latitude, longitude, altitude and distance from coast line of sampling site. Seed length and seed width also negatively correlated with annual mean temperature, mean temperature of growing season (Mar.~Oct.). The ratio of seed length/seed width showed inverse trend in case of seed length and seed width. Seed weight/1,000 grains had no correlation with geographic factors but showed negative correlation with annual mean dryness index. Seed weight/L showed negative correlation with latitude and longitude and positive correlation with mean temperature of growing season of sampling site. Full seed rate showed negative correlation with latitude, longitude and annual mean dryness index of sampling site. There were significant differences among populations, among family within population and among individuals within family in seedling growth. Height and diameter of root collar of seedling showed negative correlation with longitude and mean humidity of growing season of sampling site. Height growth of seedlings was not correlated with any seed characteristics but, diameter at root collar showed low negative correlation with seed weight/1,000 grains and seed weight/L. We discussed the implications of the results in view of tree improvement of Z. serrata.