PJB-2006-80
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PRETREATMENTS ON THE GERMINATION OF DIFFERENT WILD CHERRY (PRUNUS AVIUM L.) SEED SOURCES
DERYA EŞEN, OKTAY YILDIZ, EMRAH ÇIÇEK, SEMSETTIN KULAÇ AND ÇIGDEM KUTSAL
Abstract
Wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) is an important native hardwood species of Turkey with its high-valued wood. It is also listed as a 'noble hardwood' in Europe with strongly emphasized conservation, sustainable use and genetic potential. Wild cherry seeds are deeply dormant, and level of dormancy may vary significantly within the species. This causes substantial difficulties during seedling production. The effects of different artificial and natural pretreatments in seed germination of three Turkish wild cherry seed sources was examined. The effects of different 0.1 % citric acid soaking treatments prior to cold stratification on the seed germination of a separate seed source was also examined. Pretreatments made significant effects on speed of and cumulative seed germination with substantially different seed source responses. Successive periods of complex, warm and cold artificial stratification regimes rather than cold period alone as well as natural stratification substantially improved the dormancy breaking and germination of wild cherry seeds. Seeds from K. Eregli were superior over those of the other seed sources in both speed and cumulative rate of germination. Seeds soaked in 0.1% citric acid for 48 hours followed by a 90-day cold stratification period enhanced germination significantly, yet longer acid exposures decreased seed germination substantially.
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