Effects of different sowing depths and growing media on germination of bladder-senna (coluteaarmena boiss & huet) seeds.

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine which sowing depth and growing medium should be preferred to increase germination percentage of Coluteaarmena seeds. Treatments applied to the seeds were 3 different sowing depths (0.5 cm, 1 cm and 1.5 cm) and 4 different growing media (forest soil+sand+manure (2: 1: 1); peat+manure (2: 1); peat+perlite+manure (2: 1: 1) and peat+forestsoil+manure (1: 1: 1)). The seeds were submersed in concentrated (98%) sulphuric acid for 30 minutes to overcome seed dormancy. The seeds were sown in pot-trays at 24 +/- 1 degrees C in the greenhouse. The statistical approach was a randomized complete block design with three replications and 60 seeds were used for each replication. Germinated seeds were observed periodically during 42 days to determine germination percentages and germination rates. Both the highest germination percentage (31.1%) and germination rate (9 days) were obtained in seeds which were sown in the medium of forest soil+sand+manure (2: 1: 1), in 0.5 cm-sowing depth. On the other hand, the lowest germination percentage (2.8%) was determined from the seeds which were sown in 1 cm-depth in the growing medium of peat+manure (2: 1).