Germination of Quercus faginea and Quercus coccifera with Different Organic Subtracts

The emergence and germination of two oak species, Quercus faginea and Quercus coccifera, were evaluated in a nursery to assess their response to acorn dimensions and different substrates. Three substrates were tested: a commercial substrate, coconut fiber with ver-miculite, and olive pomace compost with two different proportions of sand. Olive pomace compost, a byproduct of olive oil production, has recently gained attention as a promising alternative substrate for nurseries, offering a sustainable solution for managing this mate-rial while promoting plant growth. Seed weight and physical characteristics were evalu-ated for both species, as well as their relationships to radicle and shoot emergence and germination. The results demonstrated a significantly higher and earlier emergence (root and shoot) and germination in the commercial substrate. Quercus faginea germination was faster than that of Quercus coccifera, seed dimension did not have a significant effect on germination time, and seedling growth was promoted in coconut fiber and vermiculite substrate.