ISHS Acta Horticulturae 591: III International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds
EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL SCARIFICATION AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON IN VITROGERMINATION OF PISTACIA ATLANTICA SEEDS |
| Authors: | A.C. Chaabouni, H. Gouta |
| Keywords: | Pistacia atlantica, seeds, germination. |
| Abstract:
Several species of the genus Pistacia can be used as rootstocks for pistachio (P. vera L.). In Tunisia, P. atlantica Desf. has shown not only a great capacity for adaptation to the hard environmental conditions of arid and semi-arid areas, but it has also proved to give remarkable vigour to the scion. However, germination in normal conditions is difficult due to the hard sclerotic endocarp of the seeds, which impedes sufficient soaking of the kernels. Therefore Tunisian nurseries avoid its use and prefer P. vera as it is easy to propagate by seedlings. The aim of this investigation was to use different treatments such as scarification with sulphuric acid (for one or two hours) or/and soaking in several solutions of gibberellic acid to get the best combination treatment to allow the highest germination rate. Our results showed that two hours scarification treatment enhances germination speed and rate. No significant effect of the GA3 treatments was observed. | |
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