Investigation of the viability and germination conditions of seeds to be used in apricot rootstock production after sulfurization and open drying

In stone fruits, there is a need for rootstocks that are drought-resistant, adaptable to all kinds of soil conditions, and have high tolerance to diseases and pests. The source of these rootstocks is the seeds in nature. Seed is a determinant of plant development, yield, resistance to diseases and pests, and is the main source of commercial seedling producers and selection researchers. In this study, the seeds of Hacıhaliloğlu and Kabaaşı cultivars obtained from sun dried and sulphurous and freshly consumed fruits (sulphur-free) were used. For the determination of viability, 2, 3, 5-Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride (TTC) was tested and compared with germination test. The germination test was performed on seeds with endocarp, seeds without endocarp and seeds without endocarp by application of gibberellic acid. Seeds with a radicle length of 4-5 mm were considered germinated and planted in viols and followed for growth analysis (height, diameter, Spad, PSII). Experiments were planned with 3 replications and 15 seeds in each iteration. In this study, as a result of the tetrazolium test, it was determined that the viability rates of the seeds treated with sulfur (no staining in Kabaaşı, 60% unstained in Hacıhaliloğlu) were low, consistent with the germination results, and gibberellic acid application shortened the germination period in seeds. In the growth analysis, the best result was obtained in the sulphur-free seeds of the Kabaası variety. The best result in the analysis of diameter, Spad and PSII was obtained from sulphur-free seeds sown with endocarps of the Kabaası variety.