Effects of Cold Stratification Duration on Germination of Cerasus mahaleb (L.) Mill Seeds With and Without Coat

Cerasus mahaleb (L.) Mill is one of the most important tree species in Zagros forest and has great importance but it is classified as threatened flora species. In this study the effect of different chilling treatments (regarding growth of Cerasus mahaleb (L.) Mill in high elevations) was investigated. Studied treatments included 4، 8، 12، 16، 18، 20، 22 weeks cold stratification in two cases: with and without coat. The results showed that there was significant difference (P<0. 01) among the studied treatments and 22 weeks cold stratification had the highest average germination (61. 5 percent). The lowest germination rate was occurred in 8 weeks cold stratification; in control and 4 weeks cold stratification no germination was observed. The most amount of germination vigor in 22 weeks and the lowest amount in 4 weeks cold stratification was occurred.