Effects of artificial frost on seed germination of apricot

Aim and Apricot is one of the economically important genera of woody plants in Iran and most of these important varieties grow in Azarbaijan region, because of its Mediterranean ecological factors. Apricot has a large stone seed. Seeds are naturally planted in early autumn and after a prolonged exposure to cold temperatures (winter), seeds germinate in the end of third month of spring or in the beginning of the summer taking sometimes 18 months. Germination occurs more rapidly after cold treatment (vernalization), thus it cannot germinate without prior cold exposure In. this study, an artificial way has been suggested; this method significantly decreases duration of germination. Furthermore, it increases percentage of germination, because seeds in the garden maybe moulded by microorganisms of soil. In this study, 10 seeds of each type of apricot (control) were first planted in the garden and then 10 seeds of each type of apricot were transferred on whattman paper inside each petri dish. All petri dishes were incubated to germinate. The condition of germinator was: 16h day light and 8h dark period with 20˚C and 16˚C respectively. The humidity condition inside germinator was 65%. And the percentage and the rate of germination was measured up to 12 days. The findings showed that the percentage of germination was increased significantly in seeds when compared with control. Also, hundred percent of germination was obtained in D. However, artificial frost affects germination percentage. Therefore, the AVG used germination rate calculation is suggested and Artificial cold period is advised to be done in germination in order to increase percentage and velocity of stone seed germination. It is suggested to use artificial germination for better germination.