Variability of the Traits of Cones and Seeds in Different Larch Clones II. The Energy and Capacity of Germination of Seeds

SUMMARY

Germination rates of seeds belonging to seven clones of larch with different provenance from Romania were investigated by using different chemical treatments. The highest germination rate was obtained for the seeds immersed in an aqueous solution with 9% naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for eight hours; they were followed by the seeds immersed in a aqueous solution that contains copper sulphate (1g/0.5 l water) for 24 hours and by the seeds immersed in a aqueous solution with potassium permanganate (1.25g/0.5 l water) for 24 h. Low germination rates were obtained for the seeds immersed in an aqueous solution with sodium nitrophenol (1.8%) for eight hours, the seeds immersed in an aqueous solution of 20 g of calcium hydroxide in 0.5 l of water for 18 h and for those immersed in tap water. The Sinaia provenance showed the lowest percentage of germination energy and germination capacity for all the applied treatments, while the Bv. Valea Cetății, Bv. Valea Popii and Latori?a showed the highest percentage of germination energy and germination capacity. As the process of obtaining new plants of larch is very difficult, a database designed to improve larch seed germination using different chemical treatments can be extremely useful for seed production industry.