Pregermination of pine (Pinus halepensis) seeds in aerated water solutions accelerated germination as measured by radicle emergence. The extent of aeration was found to be the most important factor which accelerated germination: the higher the aeration the higher the germination rate.
Emergence rate was affected by the pregermination period, 4 to 8 days being the optimum period for pregermination. Seeds with emerged radicles had a relatively low emergence percentage. Seedlings derived from pregerminated seeds developed more rapidly than seedlings derived from untreated seeds. Application of seaweed concentrates during pregermination was the most effective treatment which enhanced seedling development.
Low-temperature pregermination of Cedrus deodara seeds in aerated solutions effectively
replaced seed stratification. Low-temperature pregerminated seeds had a higher germination percentage, a higher emergence rate, and developed more rapidly compared to seeds receiving stratification.
Key words: emergence, germination improvement, seedling development.
Correspondence: David Brand, Forest Department, P.O. Box 45, Kiryat-haim 26103, Israel
Telefax: 972-4-411971