The effect of soaking, temperature and duration of pre-chilling on seed dormancy breaking of Ferula ovina

Ferula ovina is one of grazing plants that belongs to umbeliferae. This plant is important for fooder and prevention of running sands. According to ISTA reports, all seeds of this species have shown dormancy that causes reduction in seed viability. Prior to this study, relatively few information has existed on dormancy breaking of Ferula ovina. Because of the beneficial effects of cold and soaking for seed dormancy breaking of other umbeliferae plants, in this research effect of pre-chilling was investigated on seed germination of Ferula ovina. In this experiment were evaluated effects of factors: soaking (12, 24, 48 h), cold temperature (1-3, 5-7, 8-10 ºC) and cold period (0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 weeks) by lying seeds on filter paper in petri dishes. Data analysis showed that soaking did not have significant effect and 7 weeks pre-chilling in 1-3 ºC was the best treatment for seed dormancy breaking of Ferula. The higher temperature and smaller cold period had lower influence on stimulation of Ferula seed germination.