Improving germination of Prunus avium L. seeds by gibberellic acid, potassium nitrate and thiourea

Abstract

To break dormancy and increase the germination of Prunus avium L. (mazzard cherry) seeds, various methods were tested including the removal of the seed coat after cold moist stratification and treatment with GA₃, KNO₃, or thiourea. Treatments with 7,500 ppm KNO₃ after 120 days of stratification were more effective, yielding 64.54% germination of seeds with coat. In seeds without coat, 500 ppm GA₃ treatment after 120 days of stratification gave 79.74% germination; a value increased about 29% compared to control.