Responses of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) seedlings from different geographical locations to low temperature stress

Climate change has exacerbated difficulties for both the environment and humans in recent years, with major consequences on the resilience and ecological diversity of forests, including those of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). Because cold stress is an important challenge to silver fir seedling growth, particularly in the early phases of development, the goal of this study was to find potential genetic resources with appropriate responses to the action of low temperatures. Thus, traits of interest were studied in the early stage of seedlings from seven different Romanian provenances. Soil electrical conductivity, root weight, and total seedling weight were found to be related to seedling growth and biomass elements. The results revealed substantial differences depending on geographical origin. Garda Seaca provenance had the highest seedlings tolerance. Exposure to varying low temperatures revealed minor variations between seedlings from the control and those treated to −20 °C, which might be explained by the current temperatures in Romania’s silver fir producing area. However, exposing to −40 °C all seedlings showed deterioration. Soil electroconductivity reduced as exposure temperature decreased, emphasizing the link between cold stress and soil effects on fir seedling growth. Some Romanian provenances could be useful for future silver fir breeding or afforestation and reforestation operations.