Breaking Seed Dormancy of Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

This study was conducted to break dormancy and enhancing germination of Arbutus unedo seeds. With this aim, seeds prior to sowings were treated as follows: stratification of the seeds at 4°C for 15, 30, 60 and 90 days, soaking in 50 and 100 mg per 100 mL Polystimulin (PS) or indole butyric acid (IBA) for 48 h. Results indicated that the highest germination rate, which was 92%, was obtained by stratification at 4°C for 60 days treatment and soaking the seeds in 50 mg per 100 mL PS for 48 h treatment. The stratification temperature of 9°C was more effective than 4°C. Breaking dormancy for A. unedo seeds should be used to stratification for 60 days and application to PS hormone at lower doses. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers