Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted with white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings from three seed sources to determine how plant moisture stress before storage and length of freezer storage (8–209 days) affect dormancy release and growth responses of outplanted seedlings. During storage, plant water potential remained lower (more negative) in seedlings subjected to high prestorage plant moisture stress than in those subjected to low prestorage plant moisture stress. However, as duration of storage increased, overall plant moisture stress declined. High prestorage plant moisture stress had little influence on dormancy except to delay terminal bud break in seedlings from the southernmost seed source by 10% and, after an 8-day storage period, to delay bud break of seedlings by 15% compared with the low moisture stress treatment. Seed source and storage period were associated with the greatest variation in growth. The central seed source produced more growth in height and biomass than the other seed sources. Better height growth of seedlings subjected to high moisture stress was attained after all but the 8-day storage period. Seedling responses were complex and not clearly related to their performance in nursery and field outplantings.
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