Effect of stratification treatments on germination of Sorbus torminalis L. Crantz (wild service tree) seeds with different origins

Abstract

Seed characteristics of wild service tree’s (Sorbus torminalis L. Crantz) fruits collected from 4 different regions of the Black Sea region in Turkey and their germination ratio in different environments were considered. The fruits used in the study were collected from trees that are very close to each other. Collected seeds were subjected to cold stratification of +2°C in an environment of 50% peat + 50% perlite in 4 different periods. Measurements done on the seeds used in the planting process show differences with respect to origins. The average size of seeds of Artvin origin was 6.68 mm, average dimater was 3.16 mm and 1000 grains weight was 2.81 g; average size of seeds of Trabzon origin was 6.04 mm, average diameter was 3.67 mm and 1000 grains weight was 3.70 g; average size of seeds of Bartın origin was 5.23 mm, average diameter was 2.88 mm and 1000 grains weight was 1.98 g, while the average size of seeds of Samsun origin was 5.59 mm, average diameter was 3.36 mm, 1000 grains seed weight was 3.07 g. The seeds used in this study were sown in 3 different mediums at the beginning of April. When ratios of seed germination were analyzed, maximum germination occured in the 4 months stratification. Although S. torminalis L. Crantz seeds have germination ratio of 5 – 6%, in this study the maximum germination was seen in seeds from Trabzon origin which were planted in an environment of 80% peat + 20% stream sand, with a ratio of 96.6%, while the minimum germination was seen in Bartın origin seeds that were planted in an environment of 80% peat + 20% stream sand, with a ratio of 13.3%.

Keywords: Sorbus torminalis L. Crantz, wild service tree, germination, stratification, seed

Keywords: Sorbus torminalis L. Crantz, wild service tree, germination, stratification, seed

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(34), pp. 5535-5541, 23 August, 2010