Cold Moist Stratification Research Articles

Breaking deep epicotyl physiological dormancy in C hionanthus retusus (Oleaceae) seeds

Given that the cause and the method of dormancy release in Chionanthus retusus seeds are unclear, in this study, C. retusus seeds with a hard endocarp (seed dispersal unit) were used for endocarp permeability determination, germination test after endocarp removal and isolated embryo culture to detect the cause of radicle dormancy. Endosperm removal, cold moist stratification, warm moist stratification and GA3 treatment of rooted seeds were used to detect the cause of epicotyl dormancy. The results indicated that C. retusus seeds have non-deep physiological dormancy and deep epicotyl physiological dormancy, the release of which was closely related to the length of the emerged radicle. Rooted seeds with a radicle length < 3 cm could not be effectively released from epicotyl physiological dormancy by endosperm removal, GA3 soaking or cold/warm stratification treatments, whereas those > 3 cm could be significantly promoted for release from epicotyl physiological dormancy by endosperm removal and cold moist stratification treatments. The highest shoot emergence rate of rooted seeds (radicle length > 3 cm) was achieved after 120 days of cold moisture stratification treatment. These results could improve our understanding of seed dormancy and promote the conservation and use of C. retusus.

Variations in Seed Dormancy Occurrence and Their Classifications in Thirteen Actinidia Species

As differences in seed dormancy between Actinidia species have not been reported previously, in this study we characterized the variation in the dormancy of seeds in 13 kiwifruit species that originated from different regions of China and Taiwan, and for which mature plants are now growing in New Zealand orchards. Dormancy-breaking treatments, including cold-moist stratification, seed coat scarification and soaking in water and gibberellic acid (GA3), were tested for their efficacy in alleviating dormancy and improving final germination and germination rates. In addition, we assessed seed viability using RNA integrity analysis to distinguish dead seeds from dormant seeds. This study identified that dormancy type in Actinidia seeds is species-specific and can be morphological, morphophysiological or a combination of physiological and physical, and that seed RNA integrity is a useful metric to incorporate into seed dormancy studies. Our results also suggest that species originating from colder climates that experience large differences between winter minimum and summer maximum temperatures exhibit physiological dormancy and require cold-moist stratification, contrasting with species originating in milder climates. Interestingly, although not all seeds from all the species were dormant, the proportion of dormant seeds in each species did not correlate to the climatic data of the region from which they originated. These findings provide new insights into mechanisms of seed dormancy in kiwifruit.

Species-specific effects of production practices on genetic diversity in plant reintroduction programs.

Plant production practices can influence the genetic diversity of cultivated plant materials and, ultimately, their potential to adapt to a reintroduction site. A common step in the plant production process is the application of seed pretreatment to alleviate physiological seed dormancy and successfully germinate seeds. In production settings, the seeds that germinate more rapidly may be favored in order to fill plant quotas. In this study, we investigated how the application of cold-moist stratification treatments with different durations can lead to differences in the genetic diversity of the propagated plant materials. Specifically, we exposed seeds of three Viola species to two different cold stratification durations, and then we analyzed the genetic diversity of the resulting subpopulations through double-digestion restriction site-associated sequencing (ddRADseq). Our results show that, in two out of three species, utilizing a short stratification period will decrease the genetic diversity of neutral and expressed loci, likely due to the imposition of a genetic bottleneck and artificial selection. We conclude that, in some species, the use of minimal stratification practices in production may jeopardize the adaptive potential and long-term persistence of reintroduced populations and suggest that practitioners carefully consider the evolutionary implications of their production protocols. We highlight the need to consider the germination ecology of target species when selecting the length of dormancy-breaking pretreatments.

Dormancy and germination characteristics of Tarenaya hassleriana (Cleomaceae) seeds

Abstract: Elucidating the physiological and ecological mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination is of great significance for species conservation and the application of plant resources. Based on Baskin and Baskin’s classification system for seed dormancy, the cause of dormancy in Tarenaya hassleriana (Cleomaceae) seeds was studied using alternating temperature, cold moist stratification, dry storage, and GA3 soaking treatment. The results indicated that fresh mature T. hassleriana seeds had a combinational dormancy, including a physical dormancy and a type 2 non-deep physiological dormancy, and were photoblastic, with an optimal germination temperature of 35°C. In addition, fresh mature T. hassleriana seeds may be efficiently released from dormancy and promoted to germinate by an alternating temperature of 20 °C/30 °C, cold moist stratification, and cold moist stratification following dry storage. Furthermore, GA3 soaking treatment could also promote dormancy release and subsequent germination at 35 °C, and dry storage treatment could promote dormancy release and subsequent germination at 5-15 °C. These results also suggested that there were complex cross-talks among phytohormone, osmotic potential, and the temperature signaling regulatory pathways during dormancy release and germination of T. hassleriana seeds, which deserve further study.

Exogenous gibberellin can effectively and rapidly break intermediate physiological dormancy of Amsonia elliptica seeds.

Accelerated global warming is leading to the loss of plant species diversity, and ex situ preservation of seeds is becoming an increasingly important aspect of species conservation. However, information on dormancy and germination is lacking in many endangered species. Amsonia elliptica (Apocynaceae) is the only Amsonia species native to Korea, and the South Korean Ministry of Environment has designated it Class II endangered wildlife. Nevertheless, the dormancy class and the dormancy breaking method for seeds of this species for germination are not precisely known. We identified the structure of A. elliptica seeds and the causes of dormancy, which inhibits germination. In addition, we tried to develop an effective germination promotion method by testing the wet stratified condition, which breaks dormancy, and the form of gibberellin that can replace it. Fresh seeds of A. elliptica imbibe water, but the covering layers (endosperm and seed coat) inhibit germination by mechanically restricting the embryo. Initial germination tests confirmed low embryo growth potential and physiological dormancy (PD). Restriction due to the covering layer was eliminated by seed scarification, and abnormal germination was observed. After 12 weeks of cold moist stratification at 4°C, only 12% of seeds germinated. However, 68.8% of seeds subjected to 8 weeks of warm moist stratification followed by 12 weeks of cold stratification germinated, indicating that warm stratification pretreatment before cold stratification is effective in breaking dormancy. A. elliptica seeds exhibited intermediate PD. Furthermore, 61.3% of seeds soaked in 500 mg/L GA4+7 for 14 days and incubated at 25/15°C germinated. Therefore, GA4+7 rapidly broke the dormancy of A. elliptica seeds compared with warm plus cold stratification treatment, thus providing an efficient method for seedling production.

Bazı Dormansi Kırma Uygulamalarının ve Sıcaklığın Sakız Geveni’nin (Astragalus gummifer Labill.) Tohum Canlılığı Üzerine Etkileri

This research was carried out to determine the effects of germination temperature and 12 dormancy breaking applications on the germination of the seeds of the gum tragacanth (Astragalus gummifer Labill.) bush. The research was carried out in the Field Crops Department laboratory, Iğdır University Faculty of Agriculture, in 2019. Gum tragacanth seeds were germinated for 28 days in the dark at constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C and variable temperatures of 20/10 °C, 20/15 °C, 25/10 °C, and 25/15 °C. As a result of the research, the highest total germination rate was determined at 10.7% at 25/10 °C and 25/15 °C temperatures. It was determined that there was 89.3% dormancy in gum tragacanth seeds. Then, 12 dormancy breaking methods (matrix priming, hydro priming, gibberellic acid (GA3, potassium nitrate, cold, moist stratification, warm moist stratification, warm+cold moist stratification, cold+warm moist stratification, cold water, hot water, mechanical scarification, and chemical scarification) were applied. After dormancy breaking applications were made, the seeds were germinated again at 25/15 °C. At the end of the study, it was revealed that the highest total germination percentage with 50.7% was obtained from the application of hot water for 2 minutes. On the other hand, it was determined that matric priming, hydro priming, gibberellic acid, potassium nitrate, cold, moist stratification, warm moist stratification, cold+warm moist stratification, mechanical scarification, and chemical scarification applications did not have any effect on removing the dormancy status of gum tragacanth seeds.

Effects of pretreatment, sowing time, sowing environment and climate factors on germination in Acer pseudoplatanus L.

In this study, the effects of different sowing environment (greenhouse and nursery), pretreatment (cold moist stratification), different sowing time (autumn, spring and summer) and some climate factors (air temperature, relative air humidity, soil temperature and soil moisture) on the germination of Acer pseudoplatanus L. seeds were studied. Seeds were harvested from the tree located in the Karadeniz Technical University campus. Three different germination trials were carried out; (1) direct sowing in autumn after seed collection (Control), (2) sowing stratified seeds in spring (Stratification-1) and (3) sowing stratified seeds in summer (Stratification-2). During the germination trial processes, air temperature, relative air humidity, soil temperature and soil moisture were measured periodicaly. Thus, the germination percentage changes in different sowing environments have been established on the basis of some climate factors. Higher germination percentages were obtained in the autumn (Control) compared to the spring (Stratification-1) and summer (Stratification-2) sowings. The highest percentages of germination were ­determined in the control trials (70% in greenhouse and 58% in nursery). Obtained germination results based on different sowing times revealed secondary dormancy in Acer pseudoplatanus L. seeds. It has been determined that the mean germination time in the greenhouse (12 days) was shorter than the mean germination time in the nursery (18 days). In addition, the obtained results showed that stratification and sowing time have a positive effect on the mean germination time in the greenhouse. Because of getting the best germination rates, keeping some climate ­factors constant (21.0-24.9 °C air temperature; 17.0-19.9 °C soil temperature; 63.0-68.9% relative air humidity; 60.0-67.9% soil moisture) during the vegetative propagation practices in the greenhouse, should affect mass ­seedling production in Acer pseudoplatanus L.

Effects of Temperature, Scarification, Stratification, Phytohormones, and After-Ripening on the Dormancy and Germination of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Seeds

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., the only member of the family Eucommiaceae, is endemic to China and has great development and utilization prospects. The seeds of E. ulmoides show dormancy but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the cause of the seed dormancy and provide fundamental knowledge for the breeding, genetic improvement, and conservation of the germplasm resources of this species. According to the seed dormancy classification system developed by Jerry M. Baskin and Carol C. Baskin, we compared the germination percentage between intact seeds and isolated embryos, constructed water absorption curves, and evaluated the germination of seeds treated with scarification, cold/warm-moist stratification, after-ripening during dry storage, and gibberellic acid (GA3). The results showed that the intact seeds germinated only at 10 °C with a low germination percentage of 13.3% whereas the isolated embryos had a high normal germination percentage among a wider range of temperatures. According to the results from the scarified seeds, half seeds, and intact seeds, the seed coat significantly restricted the embryo water absorption. The scarification, after-ripening, cold/warm-moist stratification, and GA3 treatments promoted seed germination. Among them, cold-moist stratification was the most effective method and the temperature range of seed germination increased in both directions from 10 °C with prolonged stratification. The germination percentage increased significantly at constant temperatures with the highest germination percentage of 93.7 ± 0.3% at 10 °C and a light/dark cycle after 90 days of cold-moist stratification. Therefore, the freshly harvested E. ulmoides seeds exhibited a combinational dormancy comprising physical and Type 3 non-deep physiological dormancy, causing limited embryo water absorption by the seed coat and a low embryo growth potential. Given the unique phylogenetic characteristics and utility of E. ulmoides, our findings should promote studies of seed dormancy evolution and the development and application of E. ulmoides germplasm resources.

The Effects of Cold Stratification, Cold Storage and Gibberellic acid (GA3) on Seed Germination of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)

Abstract
 Aim of study: The effects of cold stratification, cold storage and gibberellic acid (GA3) on seed germination of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) were investigated. 
 Area of study: Ripe berries of V.myrtillus were collected from the Kaz Mountains (İda Mount) National Park-Balıkesir province in Turkey. 
 Material and methods: In the study five levels of cold moist stratification period, cold dry storage period (control, 15, 30, 60, 90 days) at +4 ºC and three dose of GA3 (control, 500, 1000, 1500 mg/L) treatments were applied. Data were tested independently by ANOVA according to three factors with three replications. 50 seeds were used for each treatment for each replication. 
 Main results: Cold stratifications, cold storage and GA3 treatments did not increase the germination percentage of bilberry seeds. Germination was found between 23-40% in all experiments. 
 Highlights: Different pretreatments are advised for increasing germination percentage of V. myrtillus L. seeds

Optimizing Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Different Kiwifruit Genotypes

The presence of dormant embryos in seeds and nonuniformity in seedling growth are the main limiting factors for kiwifruit propagation. Studies on the germination of hybrid genotypes are limited, especially at different ploidy levels. Low germination percentages and nonuniformity in seedling growth are two of the limiting factors of kiwifruit breeding, especially new and imported germplasm. The effect of cold moist stratification and growing substances on seed germination and seedling growth, respectively, on different kiwifruit seed populations were evaluated in this study. The effect of cold moist stratification (3, 4 and 5 weeks at 4 °C) and growing substrate composition (peat, perlite and coco peat) on seed germination and seedling growth of different Actinidia genotypes were assessed. In general, increasing stratification period duration often increased germination speed and uniformity. It was also found that increasing the ratio of peat moss improved the vegetative growth parameters of all kiwifruit seedlings. Stratification treatment, light and temperature fluctuation and consequently suitable substrate can accelerate and increase the production of seedlings and reduce seedling losses. It was also found that peat–perlite (1:1) medium was the best medium for kiwifruit seedling growth.

Deep complex morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of Viburnum plicatum var. formosanum (Adoxaceae) from subtropical mountains

AbstractViburnum is a temperate-zone genus that also occurs in mountains of South America and Malesia, and seeds of many species have morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). Information on the level of MPD in seeds of species in various clades of Viburnum potentially would increase our understanding of the evolutionary relationships between the nine levels of MPD. Our aim was to determine the level of MPD in seeds of Viburnum plicatum var. formosanum that is endemic to mountains (1800–3000 m a.s.l.) in Taiwan and a member of the Lutescentia clade. The temperature requirements for embryo growth and root and shoot emergence and response of seeds to gibberellic acid (GA) were determined. No fresh seeds germinated during 16 weeks of incubation at 15/5, 20/10, 25/15, 30/20 or 25°C. Embryo growth and root emergence occurred during moist cold stratification at 5°C or at a temperature sequence of 15/5 to 5°C. During cold stratification, embryos length increased from 0.76 ± 0.06 to 3.40 ± 0.26 mm and the embryo length:seed length ratio from 0.20 ± 0.02 to 0.68 ± 0.07. In a temperature sequence simulating field conditions, embryos grew inside seeds at 5°C, roots emerged at 15/5°C and shoots emerged at 20/10°C. The optimum temperature for embryo growth was 5°C. Neither GA3 nor GA4 was effective in promoting root emergence. We conclude that seeds of V. plicatum var. formosanum have deep complex MPD, which is a first report for Viburnum. Dormancy release during the cool season at high elevations helps to ensure that seeds germinate at the beginning of the warm season.

Development and Verification of an Interspecific Hybridization Protocol for Asclepias

Milkweed (Asclepias sp.) is an important pollinator genus across North America and is a host plant for many butterfly species, notably the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Commercial production of Asclepias is limited to a few species, because most species lack commercial traits, with minimal branching habit, excessive height, and minimal color variation. This study used a commercially viable Asclepias species, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa L.), as a maternal parent and trialed three different pollination methods in an attempt to create interspecific hybrids. Pollination methods included a traditional method, a pollen–solution-based method, and a novel inverted pollinia method. The inverted pollinia method increased pollination success rates 4-fold among intraspecific crosses of A. tuberosa. When pollination methods were optimized, A. tuberosa was used as the maternal parent, and one-way crosses were made to seven other Asclepias species using the inverted pollinia method. Of the seven species used as pollen donors, four developed hybrid seed successfully: green milkweed (Asclepias hirtella Woodson), purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens L.), showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa Torr.), and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.). As germination methods vary significantly among Asclepias species, three methods of germination were trialed on seed developed via interspecific hybridizations: direct seeded, cold–moist stratification, and embryo rescue. Of the three methods, cold–moist stratification was superior to direct seeding and embryo rescue. This research is the first documented case of a controlled interspecific hybridization event among these species.

Stratification of beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) seed improves germination

Corylus cornuta is a native shrub to Alberta, Canada, which can be propagated by seed and used to revegetate disturbed sites. Seeds were collected and separated into green-sheathed seeds, which were subjected to cold moist stratification of 0 (no stratification), 8, 16 and 23 weeks, and brown-sheathed seeds, which were subjected to cold moist stratification of 0, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 23 weeks. Green-sheathed seeds had similar germination percentages, mean germination times and synchrony as the brown-sheathed seeds. Stratifying for minimum 16 weeks for both seed groups improved the germination metrics.

Seed dormancy removal treatments and germnaton characterstcs of Acer trautvetteri Medvedev seeds

In this study, seed dormancy removal and germination characteristics of Acer trautvetteri Medvedev, is one of the major maple species of the eastern Black Sea region, were studied. To do that, the seeds were collected in 2008 three times with aproximately 15-days intervals. In order to remove dormancy, several germination treatments were applied. The treatments were (1) different seed collection time, (2) soaking in water, (3) cold-moist stratification and (4) GA3 (gibberellic acid) application. The treated seeds were germinated in growing chamber at 5 0C and in greenhouse conditions. This research indicated that seeds of Acer trautvetteri exhibit physiological dormancy and require stratification period to remove seed dormancy. The highest germination percentage in the growing chamber subjected to GA3 application after eight weeks of stratification treatment was 66 % for Acer trautvetteri seeds. The highest germination percentage in greenhouse was obtained with cold stratification after eight weeks (81 %). Although GA3 treatment had a positive effect on germination in growth chamber + 5 0C, GA3 treatment had a negative effect on germination in greenhouse conditions. Soaking in water of nonstratified seeds wasn’t any significant difference on seed germination. There was a positive correlation between seed collection time and germination (r=0.59). As a result, the third collection time (in october) should be preferred as seed collection time in Acer trautvetteri seeds, considering that it may vary according to the climatic conditions of the year.

Breaking combinational dormancy of Rhus javanica L. seeds in South Korea: Effect of mechanical scarification and cold-moist stratification

Seeds with combinational dormancy have both physical (PY) and physiological (PD) dormancy. Chemical scarification and cold-moist stratification alleviate PY and PD, respectively. Therefore, we tested the effectiveness of mechanical scarification and cold-moist stratification for the release of combinational dormancy in Rhus javanica seeds to minimize the possibility of any internal damage and determine the optimal germination conditions. Mechanical scarification by a brushing machine and cold-moist stratification for 12 weeks weakened the pericarp and improved water absorption and percent germination. Prolonging mechanical scarification for up to 20 min further improved water absorption and percent germination; however, there was no significant difference in germination after 20 min (64.9%) and 40 min (63.1%) of mechanical scarification. The removal of blister-like structures in nontreated seeds by mechanical scarification enhanced water absorption. Further, cracks between the two inner pericarp cell-layers improved water absorption. Combined mechanical scarification (20 min) and cold-moist stratification (12 weeks) effectively broke combinational dormancy of R. javanica seeds and, therefore, comprise a suitable treatment for seed germination.

Effects of combined pretreatments on germination and emergence of wild Eremurus spectabilis M.Bieb. seeds

Eremurus spectabilis is a perennial herbaceous species that grows in the wild. Commonly consumed as a vegetable, it is also classified among medicinal plants and popular ornamental geophytes. Germination is not achieved under normal conditions because of seed dormancy. In this study, various combined treatments were experimented with to improve the germination and emergence performance of E. spectabilis seeds. The seeds were immersed in solutions of potassium nitrate (KNO3: 5 mM for 24 and 48 hours), calcium chloride (CaCl2: 5 mM for 24 and 48 hours) and subjected to tip cutting. Pre-treated seeds were then subjected to moist-cold stratification periods treatments for different durations (30, 50, 80 and 100 days). In the 5 mM KNO3 treatments, 48-hour KNO3 and 100 days of stratification treatments had better germination (11.1%) and emergence values (9.7%). In the 5 mM CaCl2 treatments, 24-hour CaCl2 yielded better germination (10.2%) and emergence (8.4%) values. Seed tip-cutting treatments were the most successful among all the treatments for the germination and emergence parameters.

Effects of different treatments on seed dormancy breaking and germination in Acer cappadocicum Gleditsch var. cappadocicum

This study was carried out to determine effects of different pretreatment on seed germination and to overcome dormancy in Acer cappadocicum seeds. The seeds were collected in 2008 three times with aproximately 15-days intervals. In order to overcome dormancy, several germination treatments were applied. The treatments were (1) different seed collection time, (2)soaking in water, (3) cold-moist stratification and (4) GA<sub>3</sub> (gibberellic acid) application. The treated seeds were germinated in growing chamber at 5 <sup>0</sup>C and in greenhouse conditions. This research showed that seeds of Acer cappadocicum exhibit physiological dormancy and require stratification period to overcome seed dormancy. The highest germination percentage in the growing chamber subjected to GA<sub>3</sub> process after eight weeks of stratification treatment was 62 % for Acer cappadocicum seeds. The highest germination percentage in greenhouse was obtained with cold stratification after eight weeks (95 %). It was found out that GA<sub>3</sub> treatment had a significant effect on germination in growth chamber + 5 <sup>0</sup>C but GA<sub>3</sub> treatment didn’t have a significant effect on germination in greenhouse conditions. GA<sub>3</sub> treatment and soaking of unstratified seeds in water for 48 hr didn’t have any positive effect on germination value in greenhouse conditions. Although growth chamber and green house results both indicated that seed collection time did not seem to play a role as statistically on seed germination, Duncan’s test showed that the third seed collection time was in a different group.

Germination behaviour of forbs native to the southwestern United States following exposure to short-term seed bank conditions (−20°C)

AbstractSeeds are increasingly being stored in seed banks for ex situ conservation, food security, and restoration reserves. Although it is hypothesized that seeds of many species can survive the dry, freezer conditions (−20°C) of seed banks for many years, shelf life is unknown for many species. In particular, changes to dormancy and germination requirements following freezer storage have not yet been studied extensively. To improve our understanding of how seed dormancy and germination respond to seed banking conditions, we evaluated seed of six restoration-priority species in the southwestern United States, which is a region of increasing restoration need. Germination tendencies of seeds that were and were not exposed to a −20°C treatment for 4–6 months were evaluated under 22 cold-moist stratification and incubation treatments to broadly assess changes to dormancy and germination requirements and speed. Direct or indirect (via interactions with stratification and/or incubation treatments) differences in dormancy breaking and germination were observed in seeds for four of the six species studied. Specifically, storage temperature accounted for differences in the final germination proportion, germination during stratification, and/or rate of germination in five of the six species. Notably, seeds of the one species that exhibit a combination of physiological and physical dormancy showed significant differences in all germination measures. However, while significant differences were found between seeds exposed to short-term seed bank storage and those that were not, these differences were small and may not be biologically meaningful, indicating that seed banking these species should not change how they are used for restoration or reintroduction purposes.

Effects of Moist-Cold Stratification and Gibberellic Acid Applications on Breaking Seed Dormancy in Foxtail Lily (Eremurus spectabilis M.Bieb.)

Eremurus spectabilis is a wild edible perennial herbaceous geophyte species with medicinal and popularornamental uses. In this study, gibberellic acid (GA3) with moist-cold stratification treatments were applied to break thedormancy of E. spectabilis seeds. For this purpose, seeds were soaked in gibberellic acid solutions (GA3: 500 and 750 ppmfor 24 and 48 hours). Pretreated seeds were then subjected to moist-cold stratification treatments for different durations (30,50, 80 and 100 days) at 4 ºC. In 24-hour GA3 treatments, the germination and emergence ratios (21.04%) were obtainedfrom the 500 ppm GA3 dose and 100 days of stratification treatments. In 48-hour GA3 treatments, the GA3 doses did nothave any significant effect on germination and emergence ratios; the greatest germination ratios were obtained from the 500ppm (20.36%) and 750 ppm (20.00%) doses and 100 days of stratification treatments, and the best emergence ratios wereobtained from the 500 ppm GA3 dose and 100 days of stratification treatments (18.51%). It is considered that it is beneficialto try the combinations of moist-cold applications with different treatments in future studies.

Seed germination of Crataegus monogyna – a species with a stony endocarp

The present work demonstrates the effects of moist cold stratification on seed dormancy breaking in Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.). We also examined the fruit and seed morphology. Mature and ripe fruits were collected, the pulp removed and the seeds (stones) left in the sun to dry for three days. Four temperature regimes viz. 4°C, 6.5°C (natural conditions where the fruits were harvested), 10°C and 20°C were used for stimulating seed germination under total darkness. For each treatment, there were four replicates with 50 seeds incubated in a plastic container between two layers of moist sand at 15%. At the end of the experiment, non-germinating seeds were tested for viability using Tetrazolium chloride (TZ). After 4 months, the final germination (FGP) was expressed as a percentage of the total number of seeds in each treatment. The fruits of Hawthorn were 14.9 ± 0.73 mm long and 15.1 ± 0.84 mm in diameter and weigh 2.05 ± 0.28 g. The seeds were 8.29 ± 0.43 mm long and 6.75 ± 0.39 mm in diameter and weigh (0.25 ± 0.04) g. The thousand-fruit weight was 2,000 g and of the thousand-seeds weight was 280 g. The statistical analysis indicated significant effect (p < 0.0001) of treatment on seed germination. Dormancy in this species was broken most effectively by cold stratification at 4°C and under natural conditions with 76% and 67.5% of FGP, respectively. Most of the nongerminated seeds of C. monogyna were viable (dormant) as judged by TZ.