Effect of different treatment on removing seed dormancy to induction of seed emergence and vigour in some populations of four species of savory (Satureja spp.)

In greenhouse experiment, the seed samples of 8 populations of four savory sepecies as: Satureja sahendica, S.bachtiarica , S.khuzistanicaandS.hortensis were treated with cold strafication, after-ripening, physical scarification (sand paper), chemical scarification (Ethylic alcohol 70%) and distilled water (control). The  greenhouse experimental design  were carried out as completelt randomize design with three replications by condition of 25±5°C and light illumination (10000 lux) on day time and 5-12°C during night in greenhouse of  Research Institute of Forest and Range, during 2009-2010. The seed emergence characteristics including: percentage and speed of emergence, length of root and shoot, vigour index, fresh and dry weight were evaluated. Means comparisons were made using Duncan method. Results showed that S.khuzistanica had higer percent and speed of seed emergenation and vigour index than other pecies. The two populations of Khuzistan (S.khuzistanica), and edible savory (S.hortensis) had higher values of percent and speed of emegence and vigour index than other ecotypes. The higher values of seed emergence traits and vigour index of Khuzistan population (S.khuzistanica) were obtained by physical and chemical scarfication (sand-paper and alchol) than other treatments. Therefore, the dormancy of this population was considered as physical dormancy. Seed gemination traits and vigour index of Lorestan population (S.khuzistanica), and Gazvin population (S. sahendica) were improved by cold and after-ripening treatment than other treatments.