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The use of gibberellic acid as a presowing treatment for cherrybark and Nuttall oak acorns

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The use of gibberellic acid to enhance growth and development in plants has been shown in many species. Gibberellic acid is a naturally occurring hormone that can, in certain concentrations, affect dormancy, flowering, fruit set, growth, frost protection, root formation, and other growth processes. The positive effect on germination by this hormone treatment could help the nurseryman produce more uniform seedling germination and a higher germination value. Cherrybark (Quercus pagoda Rafinesque) and Nuttall (Q. nuttalli Buckley) oaks were chosen to evaluate seed treatment with gibberellic acid to enhance germination treatment. Three treatments and a control were used to treat the seed which were then planted in a greenhouse study with a 2 by 2 factorial with five observations in each species/treatment. Germination of the seedlings was monitored for 31 days and seedling germination times were recorded. Analysis of the effectiveness of the treatments was done using Czabator’s germination value index. The use of the Czabator’s gibberellic acid had a positive effect on both cherrybark and Nuttall oak. The cherrybark species responded significantly to the higher levels of the gibberellic acid indicating that the use of the hormone could be a useful tool in enhancing germination which may be important when seeds are in short supply.

Parent Publication

Citation

Adams, John C.; Adams, Joshua P.; Williams, R.A. 2010. The use of gibberellic acid as a presowing treatment for cherrybark and Nuttall oak acorns. In: Stanturf, John A., ed. 2010. Proceedings of the 14th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–121. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 199-200.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/35596