Seed Stratification of an Intermountain West Chokecherry Ecotype

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of stratification treatments on the germination of an Intermountain West ecotype of chokecherry ( Prunus virginianaL.). Seeds from a single wild stand were cleaned and subjected to one of 12 treatments. Treatments included stratification at 3°C for durations ranging from 0 to 24 weeks. Additional treatments included exposure to GA3 during a 12-week stratification, or two stratification cycles interrupted by 4 weeks at 20°C. Each treatment consisted of four replicates of 50 seeds each. None of the seeds stratified for 4 weeks or less germinated after 12 weeks at 20°C. Germination percentage increased with stratification time from 8 to 16 weeks. With the 20 and 24 week stratification treatments, much of the germination occurred during the 3°C stratification period. Interrupted stratification cycles did not increase germination percentages. Treatment with GA3 had no significant effect on germination percentage.