Native Plants Journal - Article

Effect of gibberellic acid and standard seed treatments on mountain snowberry germination.

Abstract:

Acid scarification, warm stratification, cold stratification, and soaks in gibberellic acid (GA3) were effective in promoting germination in mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus Gray [Caprifoliaceae]) from New Mexico, but treatment levels and interactions were important. The combination of a 30-min acid soak, 21-d warm stratification treatment, and 84-d cold stratification treatment (the shortest duration evaluated) was highly effective in promoting germination. Increasing cold stratification from 84 to 168 d increased germination, as did incubation in all concentrations (250 to 1000 ppm) of GA3, but the benefit of longer cold stratification and GA3 incubation was reduced for acid-scarified seeds. Acid scarification breaks physiological dormancy of the embryo, and may allow maturation of the embryo during cold stratification to begin sooner. Timing of GA3 application was also important. For seeds undergoing acid scarification followed by warm stratification followed by cold stratification, application of GA3 prior to warm stratification resulted in less germination compared to application following warm stratification. In snowberry, early GA3 application may result in GA3 catabolism during warm stratification, reducing the concentration available during cold stratification.

Issue & Pages:

Fall 2002 Pages: 155-162

Article Download:

3-2NPJ155-162.pdf (PDF document)

Authors:

• Lee S Rosner
• John T Harrington
• David R Dreesen
• Leigh Murray

Keywords:

acid scarification, warm stratification, cold stratification, dormancy, GA3.