Effects of sowing time and pre-treatments of soaking in ash solution and sulphuric acid on the seed germination of Crataegus pontica (K. Koch.) seeds

The present study aimed to determine the effects of sowing time and pre-treatments of soaking in Ash solution and sulphuric acid on the seed germination of Crataegus pontica (K. Koch.) To this end, C. pontica were collected from Pamukçular Village in Yusufeli District of Artvin Province. These seeds were subjected to chemical scarification in sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 hours and soaked in lye water (Oak) for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. Sowings were carried out in July, August, September, October, November, and December in the Susuz Forest Nursery of Şavşat Forestry Operation Directorate. Sowings were also carried out with four replications according to the randomized block design. The study concludes that the pre-treatment of soaking in lye water increased the germination percentage in the summer and autumn sowings compared to the pre-treatment of chemical degradation in sulphuric acid. The highest germination percentage was obtained from the pre-treatment of soaking in lye water for eight days and from the July, August, and September sowings. Based on these results, we can recommend the sowing of C. Pontica, soaked in lye water for eight days, in July to obtain the highest germination percentage.