Effects of Different Treatments on Germination Capacity of Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) Seeds

Abstract

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), one of the wild fruit species that stands out with its various uses, is used as a medicinal plant and is important in the pharmaceutical field because its flowers and fruits have blood pressure reducing, heart regulating and strengthening effects. In addition, in recent years, it has become one of the most desired fruits for fresh consumption and orchards have started to be established in Türkiye. The material of the study consisted of the genotypes of three different hawthorn species (Crataegus pseudoheterophylla, Crataegus × sinaica and Crataegus rhipidophylla var. rhipidophylla), which are naturally found in Sivas, Bolu, Kütahya and Karabük provinces and are known to be very difficult to propagate by vegetative methods. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of different treatments on seed germination in the seeds of these species. Crataegus monogyna species was used as a control in the study. In terms of thousand seed weight, Crataegus monogyna with 160.25 g, Crataegus pseudoheterophylla with 120.30 g and Crataegus rhipidophylla var. rhipidophylla with 85.89 g showed the highest values. In terms of seed occupancy rate, Crataegus rhipidophylla var. rhipidophylla (93.33%) and Crataegus monogyna (63.33%) genotypes stood out. The highest germination rates were obtained from Crataegus monogyna (51.66%) and Crataegus rhipidophylla var. rhipidophyll (43.33%) with lye + seaweed soaking treatment. In Crataegus × sinaica, 31.66% germination rate was obtained with gibberellic acid treatment. It is predicted that the results obtained will contribute to the selection of appropriate methods according to the species to overcome germination difficulties in hawthorn, to expand the commercial cultivation and utilization areas of hawthorn and to the conservation of these important genetic resources.