Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the effects of cracking and sowing time on seed germination of a popular medicinal plant, Styrax officinalis L. in the forest nursery of EÄŸirdir, Turkey. Seeds were subjected to ten treatments with and without cracking in five sowing intervals 15 days apart. Seed germination started on the 3^rd of April 2007 and continued for up to 21 days. The fastest germination (18 days) was observed on the 23^rd of September 2006 with the cracking treatment and delayed germination (50 days) was seen in the 8^th of September 2006 treatment. The highest germination percentage of 56% was obtained from the cracked seeds sown on the 23^rd of September 2006. In conclusion, this species seeds should be cracked before sowing and planted in late September to obtain a high germination percentage.

Key words: Styrax officinalis L., germination, crack, sowing time.