COMPARISON OF STRATIFICATION METHODS FOR PEACH SEEDS

An efficient protocol for seed germination is needed when developing a peach breeding programme in order to ensure the development of new hybrids.
The stage of stratification is crucial as seeds have to be kept in low temperature for a long period of time, sometimes leading to the loss of their viability.
The cultivars used in the study were ‘Andross’, ‘Baby Gold 6’ and ‘Catherina’. Different methods of stratification were applied: a) petri dish with filter paper with 10, 20 and 30 seeds, b) seeds with and without integument in bags with perlite and c) in vitro seed.
The seeds were kept at 2±1°C for 2 months, after which they were planted in a substrate composed of peat and perlite and placed in a germination chamber at 20±2°C, and 80% RH. The parameters studied were: the fresh seedling weight, root length, germination, rosetted plants and plant survival when being moved to greenhouse conditions.
The best results for germination and survival were obtained when using stratification in a Petri dish with filter paper, independent of the number of seeds used.

VII International Peach Symposium

I. Cárceles, A. Carrillo, M. Pérez, J. Cos

Prunus persica, peach, nectarine, stratification

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.962.29