Evaluation of germination behavior and optimum planting date of Ferula gummosa

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• F Melati
• A Koocheki
• M Nasiri mahalati

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22067/gsc.v3i1.1297

Abstract

In order to study the dormancy breaking techniques of Ferula gummosa seeds and also determining the optimum planting date of this species, an experiment was conducted during 2003 and 2004 in faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. A factorial experiment based on a Completely Randomized Design with two factors, washing seeds with tap water and unwashed control, and constant temperatures of 2, 5, 8 and 11oC, with four replications was used. Percentage of germination and germination rate were counted with daily interval. In addition the effects of different planting dates including, 22 March, 24 September and 23 December, on Ferula gummosa plantlets emergence, in pots and field conditions were studied in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Results showed that the maximum percentage of germination (97.5%) and germination rate (1.5 seeds per day) were obtained at 8oC in washed treatment. Washing seeds with tap water increased percentage of germination (32-72%) in all temperature treatments, significantly. Increasing temperature above 8 oC decreased germination rate and percentage of germination in both washed and unwashed (control) treatments, significantly. Our results showed that the maximum emergence (percentage), of Ferula gummosa were obtained in autumn and winter planting dates. No emergence of seedings was observed at spring planting date.

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