Artificial Ripening of Spruce Cones and Seed Maturity

Spruce cones collected from 2,400 m and 2,700 m elevations and stored for four weeks gave 17.1-18.50 per cent and 10.4-13.0 per cent higher germination respectively, as compared to fresh seeds extracted from similarly collected, but not stored cones. The germination percentage of the seed extracted from the cones collected on 15th September and stored for four weeks was only a little lower than that of the seed extracted from mature cones collected in October. Collection of spruce cones in Western Himalayas can be started after 15th September and the cones can be stored at room temperature before their dehiscence and seed collection.