ZLV Online

Abstract

Germination capacity and emergence rate of a specific Douglas-fir seed lot from the Czech Republic are determined in this paper. Different time of sowing and cold stratification period were tested. Seeds without stratification and seeds subjected to prechilling treatment period of 21, 35, and 49 days were sown in mid-March, mid-April and mid-May 2012. Germination capacity of non-stratified seeds was significantly lower than stratified seeds, and differences among stratification treatments were not significant. The total emergence rate exceeded 70% in all stratified seeds. Differences among stratification treatments as well as time of sowing were not significant. Emergence rate of the seeds without stratification was comparable only to stratified seeds sown in March. Seeds after 49 days of prechilling emerged earlier and faster than those subjected to 21-day prechilling in April time of sowing. In May sowing under more favourable (warmer) conditions, a positive effect of prolonged stratification on the rate, and beginning of emergence was not observed. As the weather conditions at the time of sowing are unpredictable, we recommend that the seeds are subjected to 49-day prechilling period as this prolonged stratification improves the emergence rate of Douglas-fir seeds in comparison with the 21-day stratification.