Stratification, Scarification and Application of Phytohormones Promote Dormancy Breaking and Germination of Pelleted Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Seeds

Abstract

Seed quality is an important issue in forestry as it is an essential parameter in the production of high quality planting material. Many factors may hinder the harvesting of high quality seeds, including an insufficient number of sunny days, external conditions in temperate climate zones, and fungal pathogens affecting development of seedlings. We undertook to develop a procedure maximizing seed protection and promoting the optimum physiological development of seedlings by examination of the impact of seed pelleting (a general seed protection method) on germination rates and seedling development of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Germination of pelleted seeds was examined in relation to substrate (water vs. soil) and LED light spectrum (white vs. red-blue). Several dormancy breaking treatments were applied: stratification/scarification, and growth regulator treatments including gibberellic acid (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), to stimulate seed germination. Experiments included independent tests for each treatment (stratification/scarification and plant growth regulators), and combinations of both stratification/scarification and phytohormone treatments. The impacts of these treatments and various controlled germination conditions on the fluorescence of chlorophyll were analyzed using the maximum efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry parameter (Fv/Fm). In addition, chlorophyll a and b content in Scots pine seedlings germinated from pelleted seeds, were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The combined stratification/scarification and growth regulator treatment was the most effective germination promoting method for pelleted Scots pine seeds. Scots pine seeds are highly likely to be photoblastic. The best germination rate, while maintaining optimal physiological parameters, was achieved in acidic soil (pH 5.0) with white LED light.

Various treatments to overcome dormancy of jernang rattan seeds (Daemonorops didymophylla Becc.)

“…Nitrate is the main source of nitrogen for plants, Nitrate in KNO3 that reaches the seed serves as a biochemical signal to break seed dormancy, thus encouraging seed germination. The temperature of the surrounding environment of the seeds during the imbibition process has a significant impact on the germination potential of the seeds [6][7][8]. Seeds need to be carefully checked for water absorption but poor germination.…”

Intensification of cultivation of Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings with a closed root system in the Southern Urals

“…Various containers for cultivation are being tested [4], natural and artificial substrates [5][6][7]. The influence of growth stimulators [8][9], pre-sowing preparation of seeds [10][11][12] fertilizers at different stages of seedling development [13][14][15] and the importance of irrigation [16] are studied. To increase stress resistance, seedlings are grown with the addition of spores and cultures of ectomycorrhizal fungi to the substrate [17][18].…”

The Impact of Biotic and Abiotic Stress Factors on Development of European Ash Tissue Cultures

“…The method can be applied non-destructively, allowing for easy and fast assessment of the impact of various stress factors. For instance, it can be used to determine the susceptibility of tissues to various levels and types of illumination [47].…”