Effects of stratification and moisturizing treatments on breaking seed dormancy in two echinacea species

Abstract

Echinacea (Echinacea ssp.) has been widely used in folk medicine for centuries and has a high market share and medicinal value, because more than 280 different products are sold economically in Europe. Generally, germination rate of Echinacea seeds is very low and poor seedling growth is an ongoing problem compared to other medicinal plants. Different methods were used before sowing that effect seedling quality which have positive effects on yield. In this study, the effects of stratification and moisturizing on the germination of Echinacea seeds were investigated. It was determined that stratification + moisturizing treatment at +4 degrees C with different day intervals (0, 5, 10, 15 days) had a significant (p<0.01) effect on germination rates on seeds of Echinacea purpurea L. and Echinacea angustifolia L., besides the same effect was observed in epicotyl and hypocotyl lengths. Germination rates and seedling outflows were highest in moist seeds that kept at +4 degrees C temperature for 15 days. It is clear from the study that stratification and moisturizing methods were efficient in breaking dormancy and also used methods were non-chemical, easily applicable and economically advantage for commercial plantations.