Evaluation of germination indices of Eremurus kopetdaghensis and Eremurus luteus with gibberellic acid and cold treatments

Eremurus is one of the rhizome plants, which has beautiful and unique flowers with high ornamental value. Unfortunately, despite the preciousness of its native species, the information about its diversityare insufficient. The aim of this study was to introduce the most effective methods for germination and overcoming dormancyof the seeds of the Eremurus kopetdaghensis M. Pop ex B. Fedtsch. And the Eremurus luteus Baker and introduce the most suitable species for Iran. To achieve the most suitable location to increase germination, survival and overcoming the dormancy of seeds, they were subjected to pre-treatment of physical stimulation including seed soaking for 72 hours, seed integument and hormonal treatment of gibberellic acid 10 ppm. Then they were potted in soil in three locations: Kojour, National Botanical Garden of Iran with variable temperature and refrigerator (4 ° C) for 30 days. Results showed that gibberellic acid 10 ppm and low temperatures were needed to break the dormancy and increase germination and winter cold caused a delay in germination and increased seed germination percentage. In Eremurus kopetdaghensis with germination percentage 70, germination speed 7.5, seed vigor 7.23 and in Eremurus luteus with germination percentage 55, germination speed 8.789 and seed vigor 10.15 in Kojour and respectively in Eremurus kopetdaghensis 42.6, 8.9, 5.56 and in Eremurus luteus 40, 9.6, 11.06 in National Botanical Garden of Iran. In Eremurus kopetdaghensis 33.3, 0.31, 0.56 and in Eremurus luteus were 45.33, 0.72, and 3.65 in the refrigerator. There was a significant difference in comparison with control treatment. Comparison between the two species showed that the seed vigorous power of Eremurus luteus was higher than of Eremurus kopetdaghensis in all three locations and it can be used to propagate in similar climates.