Effect of Stratification and Drying on the Germination and Storage of Prunus campanulata Seeds

Seeds of Prunus campanulata are known for their morphological and physiological dormancy which can be broken by a combination of warm and cold stratification. This treatment is usually applied after storage and before sowing. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dormancy-breaking treatment before storage of Prunus campanulata seeds. Two treatment procedures were proposed. The first one involved warm stratification of freshly collected seeds at 30/20℃ or 25/15℃ for 6 wk, followed by drying to 3 mo is ture contents (4.8-5.3%, 11.6-11.8% and 16.3-17.1%) and storage at -20℃ or 5℃ for 3-12 mo. Stored seeds were mixed with sphagnum and stratified at 5℃ for 8 wk before germination test. The second one involved warm stratification at 30/20℃ for 6 wk followed by cold stratification at 5℃ for 8 wk for dormancy breaking, and then drying to 2 seed moisture contents (5.2 and 16.3%) for storage at -20℃ or 5℃ for 3-12 mo. Stored seeds were tested directly for germination. Evaluation criteria used were the germination percentage and mean germination time (MGT). The result showed that seeds stored at -20℃ or 5℃ for 12 mo maintained 70% germination or above with the 2 treatment procedures. However, the first treatment procedure reduced MGT and enhanced the uniformity of germination. A possible cause for the reduced seed germination percent age during storage is discussed.