Effect of Benzalkonium Chloride, Ca-prohexadion and Cobalt Chloride on Pedunculate Oak Acorn Germination
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Abstract
The pedunculated oak (Quercus robur L.) acorns were used to examine the possibility of regulating recalcitrant seed germination aiming towards the development of a temporary delay of germination and extension of storage period. The experiment was set 27th June 2015 with acorn collected in the Autumn of 2014 and stored in refrigeration on 0±1oC. The most efficient root emergence delay effect was found after the treatment with solution of bezalkonium chloride (BAC) and Ca-prohexadion (13 days), as well as with solution with BAC alone. After the treatment with combined solution of BAC, Ca-prohexadion and cobalt chloride root emerged on some acorns after the same period as in control, but on some acorns twenty days after the last germinated acorn in the control. Effect of examined treatments on shoot emergence was the most clear in cases of period for the appearance of the first acorn with emerged shoot and average period for shoot emergence (20 days delay related to control). The possible reasons for such effects of examined substances are discussed as well as their significance for further research. The results of study could be interesting in acorn storage praxis, but the research should be extended in controlled as well as in field conditions.
Keywords: recalcitrant seed, dormancy, storage