Effect of provenance, stratification and temperature on the germination of european hophornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) seeds

In this present study, effects of seedsouree, stratification and temperature on the germination of hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) seeds were investigated. Seed samples were collected from seven different provenances (Kastamonu-Şeyhdağ, Düzce-Yığılca, Antalya-Finike, Antalya-Akseki, Adana-Saimbeyli, Niğde-Ulukışla and Zonguldak-Merkez) in Turkey. The stratification treatments used control treatment, two months cold + two months naked warm stratification (2MC+2MW) treatment, 1MW+2MC naked, pearlite media 1MW+1MC+1MW, pearlite media 1MW+2MC and pearlite media 2MC. Germinations were made under constant 15 oC and 20 oC temperatures and varying temperatures of 15/5 oC, 20/10 oC and 25/5 °C (8/16 h). Also, some seed characteristics (1000 seed weight, mortality, seed fullness) were compared depending on provenances. Study results showed that dual and triple interactions of provenance, stratification and germination temperature had significant effects on germination (p<0.05). Kastamonu provenance had the highest germination percent (%24.7 oC) under 2MC naked stratification treatment (% 21.5) and 15/5 °C germination temperature (37.3%). By provenance x stratification x temperature interactions, again, Kastamonu provenance had the highest germination percent (%92 ) under pearlite media 1MW + 2MC and pearlite 2MW treatments and 15/5 °C germination temperature. Overall lowest germination percent was observed in Niğde and Zonguldak provenances. There were significant differences between provenances by 1000 seed weight (7.3-14.0 g), mortality (%12.5-92.5) and fullness (%10.1-48.2). According to this study, hornbeam seeds, originating in Turkey, would be needed to fold germination minimum of 8-10 weeks. Germination temperature is also required for the lower temperatures and can be said to be more effective, especially low temperature variable. Key words: Hornbeam, Ostrya carpinifolia, stratification, germination temperature, germination