Effects of Temperature Treatments on Seedling Emergence in Dogroses,<i>Rosa</i>Sect.<i>Caninae</i>(L)

Abstract

Abstract Propagation by seed may become an important means of obtaining material for commercial rosehip plantings. We have therefore applied some cheap and simple seed stratification treatments to improve seed germination, which is generally reported to be low in dogroses. A total of ca. 50000 seeds were divided into two groups. The first group was exposed to 20°C for 12 weeks followed by 12 weeks at 5°C, whereas the second group was exposed to 5°C for the entire 24 weeks. The resulting germination was registered in early summer. The remaining non-germinated seeds from both treatments were kept outdoors until the end of October and then at 5°C for 24 weeks. Again, the resulting germination was registered in early summer. Large interspecific differences were noted in overall germination percentages as well as in the response to the various treatments.