The role of gibberellic acid (GA₃) in the removal of dormancy inFraxinus excelsior L. seeds

Abstract

The seeds ofFraxinus excelsior L. were stratified at 17-20 °C (warm stratification), at 4-6 °C (cold stratification) and at alternating temperature (warm — cold stratification). The seeds subjected to warm stratification only, remained dormant. The seeds stratified only at 4-6 °C germinated gradually during a long period of time. The seeds subjected to warm — cold stratification, however, germinated with great intensity within a relatively short period of time.

GA₃ was shown to stimulate the growth of embryos markedly, and its effect on the germination of seeds depended on the temperature of stratification. GA₃ applied during the cold stratification accelerated the removal of dormancy by shortening the period of stratification and by influencing the germination of seeds. The results obtained indicate a similarity between the effect of temperature 17-20 °C during the warm stratification and that of gibberellic acid. Both those factors applied separately affect favourably after-ripening of the embryos and accelerate the germination of seeds.