FACTORS AFFECTING THE VIABILITY AND GERMINATION BEHAVIOR OF CONIFEROUS SEED. VI. STRATIFICATION AND SUBSEQUENT TREATMENT, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII (MIRB.) FRANCO

Abstract

Stratification effects increase with duration of treatment; short treatments accelerate germinaion markedly for incubation at 25 °C but longer treatments are necessary for rapid germination at 15° or 10 °C. Post stratification drying and storage reduce the stratification effect, particularly at low incubation temperatures, but do not adversely affect germinative capacity. Implications for seed testing and nursery practice are discussed.