Investigations on the effects of some pretreatments on overcoming seed dormancy of hawthorn (Crataegus orientalis Paal. Ex. M. Bieb)seeds

This study was carried out to determine the effects of some pretreatments on seed dormancy of hawthorn (Crataegus orientalis paal. Ex. M. Bieb) seeds. It was also aimed to determine the most effective methods of propagating C. orientalis seedlings. Seeds were collected from Pütürge town of Malatya province where the C. orientalis species distributed naturally. C. orientalis trees which seeds were collected naturally grow up on the road sides in the region. Seeds are pretreated with sulphuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid (HNO3), citric acid (C6H8O7) and water solution of ash. And also seeds were pretreated with combination of citric acid and water solution of ash. Sowings are carried out with three replications of randomized bloc design. As results of the study it was determined that pretreatments of sulphuric acid, nitric acid and citric acid were not effective on overcoming of seed dormancy of C. orientalis seeds. It was determined that soaking seeds water solution of ash treatments (10% for 6 days) was the most effective to overcome seed dormancy. 74% germination was achieved from seeds which were sown in August after treated with soaking water solution of ash for 6 days. Key words: Hawthorn, seed dormancy, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, citric acid, water solution of ash