Enhancing germination of kiwifruit seeds with temperature, medium and gibberellic acid

Abstract

Germination responses to temperature, medium and gibberellic acid (GA3) treatments were studied in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosaChev. cv. Hayward) seeds. The seeds treated with four GA3concentrations (0, 2,000, 4,000 and 6,000 ppm) were sown in trays with peat moss, perlite + heater humus and soil mixture and subjected to the temperatures of 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C with bottom heating, under controlled conditions. All the treatments significantly affected the kiwifruit seeds germination. Seeds sown in peat moss and subjected to the temperature of 35°C with bottom heating reached the maximum germination percentage (99.17%). Peat moss and 6,000 ppm GA3 treatment also had a high germination rate (79%). Moreover, peat moss caused an earlier start of germination than the other mediums and shortened the germination period.