Germination and Seedling Development of Achillea fragrantissima as Affected by Storage Conditions, Temperature and Light PDF

Keywords

seedling, germination, storage conditions

Abstract

Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk,) Sch , Bip , (Compositae) is a valuable perennial shrublet in the western desert of Iraq . Some of its germination requirements and subsequent seedling development were studied. Seeds , stored for more than three years at room temperature (fluctuations 18·40°C), and in a refrigerator (about 6°C). maintained their full germination capacity under both storage conditions, The seeds are light positive and little germination takes place in darkness, However, such light sensitivity is gradually lost with time. Germination is poor at low temperature (6°C) and best germination is at 15-20°C. Seeds hydrated for 0.5- 6 hr and then dried for ten days under laboratory conditions maintained full germination capacity, When such seeds were rehydrated for another 3 hr and redried for ten days, for a second time, they also maintained high germination capacity,