The Effect of Seed Source on the Leaf Morphology of Acer velutinum (Boiss.) Seedlings

An examination was carried out to study leaf morphology variability of Acer velutinum (Boiss.) populations along the eastern part (with 3 populations), central part (with 4 populations), and western part (with 4 populations) of the Caspian Forests (northern Iran). After collecting seed from these populations and sowing them in a mountain nursery, the leaf area, leaf mass, leaf number, photosynthetic areas, and leaf mass/leaf area (LMA) of seedlings were determined in the first growing season. Results indicated that leaf mass, photosynthetic area, leaf numbers, and leaf area differed among the seed sources (populations), but the LMA did not significantly differ. The progenies of eastern origins (Pasand 1 and 2) had lower leaf masses than those of western origins. The largest leaf area was found from middle-elevation sources, especially Ladjim. Seed sources from higher elevations (Sangdeh and Ashak) presented smaller photosynthetic areas and lower leaf numbers. Leaf morphology was significantly correlated with the seed source. It can be concluded that, Ladjim is a better choice of a seed source, owing to superior values of morphological characteristics of the leaf.