The Effects of Various Stratification Durations on Germination and Seedling Emergence Rates of Apricot Seeds

Abstract

The effects of several stratification durations (0, 30, 45 and 60 days) on the seedling emergences and germination of seeds and pits of ‘Hacıhaliloğlu’ apricot cultivars were studied. The first emergence rates and durations as well as the maximum emergence rates and durations were investigated. For both seeds and pits the earliest emergence (12 and 17 days, respectively) were recovered for 60 days stratification treatment. This duration was 63 days for untreated control. While the average first emergence rates for seed and pits were 24% for 60 days stratification, 12% was recorded for control. The maximum emergence rate (92 %) was determined for seeds stratified for 60 days at 33 days, whereas the highest emergence rate was 54% at 96th day for control treatment.As a result, when maximum emergence rate and duration were considered together, 45 and 60 days stratification yielded more favorable results than other treatments.