Germination percentage and germination speed of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) seed after prolonged storage

Thirty European larch seedlots stored in plastic, screw-capped containers at 4°C for 3 to 24 yr were tested for their viability. The average germination percentage was 26.7% per seedlot. Fifty percent of all germinating seeds germinated by the 20th day after sowing and 90% had germinated by the 26th day. Correlation analysis indicated there was a significant negative association between years in storage and germination percentage and a significant positive association between years of storage and the number of days required to reach 15% germination. Although one seedlot germinated no seeds after 10 yr in storage, 21 of 30 seedlots, ranging from 3 to 24 yr in storage, maintained a minimum germination percentage of 20%.