Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) seed germination capacity in various genetic soil horizons, during natural regeneration of stands, and seedling growth at their initial development stage in plantations were studied. It was revealed that mineralisation of soil surface hinders the development of competitive herbs; however, does not eliminate their competition. Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seeds germinated best at the humic horizon on the bottom of a furrow. Pinus sylvestris seeds germinate under broader span of the genetic soil horizons than Picea abies seeds. The latter seeds do not germinate in humic or illuvial horizons in hillocks. Differences in seedling development under various genetic soil horizons are not significant. More intensive seedling development was observed in humic horizon as well as in litter mixed with humic and illuvial horizons.
Keywords: genetic soil horizons, seed germination, seedling development.