Dormancy Depth, Prechilling, and Storability of Oriental Beechnuts (Fagus orientalis Lipsky)

Abstract

Pregermination during the prechilling process, dehydration sensitivity, and storability are the major problems of beechnut. The aim of this study was to develop an effi cient prechilling technique for full dormancy removal and storability of Oriental beechnut from one provenance, Gölyaka. The tetrazolium test and cutting test on fresh non-stored beechnuts yielded relatively reliable estimation about germination capacity of Oriental beechnuts. Oriental beechnut from this provenance required about 11 weeks prechilling duration for full dormancy removal. Pregermination during the prechilling process was effectively avoided by prechilling
at a controlled moisture content (about 30-32%) and enhanced storability was achieved by storing the Oriental beechnuts with reduced moisture content (about 6-8%) in sealed bags at –6ºC.