Effect of collection time on germination and viability of Tilia platyphylus (Basswood)

Abstract

The best time of seed collection of Tilia in nurseries is at the end of September and the first of October. In this study, the effect of collection time on seed germination was investigated. Seeds were collected at the first of September, end of September and end of October with three weeks intervals. Because of their hard pericarps, seeds of Linden exhibit double dormancy and thus require both scarification and stratification (moist-prechilling) because of their impermeable seed coat and dormant embryo, respectively. Since the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), of Tilia seeds were already investigated, in this study the seeds were immersed in concentrated hydrogen peroxide 1% for 40 minute, including stratification in river sand for 7 month, approximately. Stratification continued until emergence of radical. Then the seed were removed and counted. Results showed that the best time of seed collection is the first of September when the pericarp is semi-hard.

Keywords

• Tilia platyphylus
• seed dormancy
• chemical treatment
• stratification
• scarification