Abstract: Quercus virginiana is a dominant tree species of sclerophyll broadleaf forest, native to the Coastal Plain of the southern and southeastern United States. Q. virginiana was introduced to eastern China coast as a coast protection forest and landscape tree species because of its high salt and wind resistance. We studied the characteristics of water uptake and water loss of the seed, as well as the effect of salinity, temperature and sowing depth on seed germination. The results showed that the water uptake and water loss of the acorn was very fast. The seeds were inactivated when the moisture content of fruit decreased to approximately 15%. The tree had high salt tolerance during the seed germination and seedling stage. Both low and high temperatures prohibited the seed germination of Q. virginiana. The sowing depth of 0-10 cm had no effect on the percentage of seed germination, but the germination index significantly decreased with the increase of sowing depth. The results indicated that raising seedlings from seeds is suitable for Q. virginiana. Seed germination of Q. virginiana adapts well to the environmental factors of saline and sand burial, benefiting its population renewal and expansion in coastal regions, and hence, Q. virginiana could be suitable for planting in subtropical coast of China.

Key words: drought degree, yield, continuous drought, yield loss, yield component