Improvement in Seed Germination of Arbutus unedo L.

In present study Arbutus unedo seeds were stratified at 4°C for different durations (0, 3, 6, 9 or 12 weeks), treated with gibberellic acid (GA₃) (0, 300, 600, or 900 mg L^-1) or treated with potassium nitrate (KNO₃) (0, 0.2, or 0.4%) to break dormancy and allow germination. The pretreated seeds were germinated at 20°C under 12 h light. One additional parameter, the effect of light on seed germination was also studied and the seeds treated with 600 mg L^-1 GA₃ solution or stratified for 12 weeks were germinated at 20°C in the dark or 12 h light. Stratification of seeds at 4°C for 9 or 12 weeks, or treatment of seeds with 300, 600 or 900 mg L^-1GA₃ was successfully overcome dormancy in A. unedo seeds. Treatment of seeds with KNO₃ did not increase germination and light did not play a main role in the germination.