Seed germination and dormancy breaking techniques for Ferula gummosa and Teucrium polium

Abstract Dormancy and germination requirements were investigated in seeds of Ferula gummosa Boiss (Apiaceae) and Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae). Seeds of both species were subjected to different treatments including various levels of GA 3 , HNO 3 , H 2 SO 4 , chilling and soaking with water at different temperatures. Germination of both species increased at higher concentrations of GA 3 . In the case of F. gummosa highest germination percentage was obtained when the seeds were treated, soaked in water at 5 °C. For T. polium seeds, the highest germination percentage was found when they were exposed to GA 3 . The highest germination rate and percentage of T. polium seeds were obtained at concentrations of 500–2500 ppm GA 3 . Washing and chilling (5 °C) for a period of 14 days was most effective in breaking dormancy in F. gummosa . Acid scarification by H 2 SO 4 (75% v/v), for 5 and 10 min with GA 3 (1500 ppm, 48 h), broke dormancy and induced, 31.9% and 34.1% germination of T. polium , respectively. In contrast to F. gummosa which showed no response to water soaking, T. polium germination was induced by up to 32.7%. For both species, germination rate was positively correlated with germination percentage.