We studied the germination of Erica australis seeds and their responses to different treatments (high temperature, acidic condition, cold stratification, gibberellic acid applications). Germination was very low in untreated seeds (3%) and required approximately one month to start, but increased in all the treatments tested, reaching a value of 100% when seeds were treated with gibberellic acid (25 ppm). Exposure to heat and to low pH promotes germination and reduces time to germinate, which indicates that germination is related to passage of fire and to soil pH. Germination of this species is also correlated with wet and cold conditions and dormancy can be classified as being of the physiological type.
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