The Effect of Different Stratification Conditions on the Germination of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and F. ornus L. Seeds

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to assess the impact of different stratification treatments recommended by the literature on the shortening of manna ash (F. ornus L.) and narrow-leaved ash (F. angustifolia Vahl.) seed germination in order to identify a suitable pre-germination treatment for seedling production. Seeds of three Southern Romanian origins for both species were exposed to four stratification treatments (cold (3oC) and warm (20oC), with and without sand-peat medium). The highest percentage of germination (up to 87% for Fraxinus ornus and up to 71% for F. angustifolia) was recorded in the case of the stratified seeds with cold medium (3oC) and relatively constant seed moisture (between 45% and 65%) throughout the treatment.