DORMANCY IN SEEDS FROM DIFFERENT POSITIONS ON INDIVIDUAL PLANTS

The possibility that the heterogeneity within a seed lot was due to the fact that seeds originated from different individual plants and/or different positions on the plant was investigated.

Sun- and shade positions were marked on 8 plants of the species Euonymus europaeus L., Malus sargentii Rehder, Prunus serotina Ehrh., and Frangula alnus Mill. (Rhamnus frangula L.).

Two samples (blocks) were collected from each combination of plant and position. The seeds were stratified at 4 to 6°C. Samples were taken out regularly and germinated in petri dishes. For each combination of plant, position and block maximum germination, and time to 75% of maximum germination (dormancy) were calculated.

Significant differences among plants in maximum germination were found for all 4 species. For E. europaeus and F. alnus there were significant differences in dormancy among plants.

The sun position had significantly higher maximum germination for M. sargentii and P. serotina.

A part of the heterogeneity within a seed lot in maximum germination and dormancy was explained by seeds originating from different plants, but there is still a considerable part of the heterogeneity to be explained.

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