THE EFFECT OF STRATIFICATION PERIODS ON GERMINATION OF SERVICE TREE (Sorbus L.) SEEDS

In this study, appropriate stratification periods were determined for seeds of Sorbus domestica, S. torminalis and S. umbellata for seedling production purposes in the Egirdir Forest Nursery and similar sites. For this aim, the seeds that were pre-soaked for 3 days were stratified at 6±1°C for 15 to 150 days with 15 day intervals. Stratification was performed in 10x20 cm boxes and perlite was used as stratification medium. The stratified seeds were sown at open field conditions according to completely randomized design with four replications at the beginning of March. Statistical analyses showed that the highest germination results were obtained with 45 to 75 days of stratification for all three species. Seed stratified for 120 or more days did not show enough emergence energy since they started to germinate during the stratification.Keywords: Sorbus, Service tree, Stratification period, Emergence percentage