Seed Germination of Leucothoe fontanesiana as Influenced by Light and Temperature

Abstract Seeds of Leucothoe fontanesiana (Steud.) Sleum. were germinated at 25°C (77°F) and 25°/15°C (77°/59°F) with daily photoperiods of 0, 1/2, 1/2 twice daily, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 hr. For both temperatures, no germination occurred during a 30-day period for seeds not subjected to light. At 25°C (77°F) increasing photoperiods increased germination with germination of 60 and 68% occurring by day 24 for the 12 and 24 hr photoperiods, respectively. The alternating temperature of 25°/15°C (77°/59°F) enhanced germination when light was limiting. At this temperature germination ≥85% was reached by day 27 for photoperiods ≥2 hr.