Improving germination of Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) seeds by hormone treatment

Abstract

This work was done to determine the effect of (i) cold stratification at 4 degrees C for 30, 60, 80, 100 and 120 days, (ii) soaking in 500 mg/l polystimulin (PS-A6 + PS-K), gibberellic acid (GA(3)) or indole butyric acid (IBA) for 24 h or 30 days and (iii) hormone treatment followed by stratification, on breaking the dormancy of Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) seeds. The highest germination, 91%, was obtained by soaking the seeds in 500 mg/l PS-A6 + PS-K for 24 hours followed by stratification at 4 degrees C for 100 days.