The Effect of Seed Treatments on the Germination of Different Fabaceae Species of a Natural Meadow-Like Association

Abstract

The goal of our experiment is to compose a species-rich seed mixture suitable for soil covering in orchard floor management in organic fruit production systems. Besides selection of traditionally used grass and Fabaceae species we are focusing on the involvement of local fora elements, of the experiment site, approaching a natural meadow-like association. Species of the following plant families are involved: Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Linaceae, Polygonaceae, Dipsacaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae. Seeds of selected species were tested to determine germination % before seeding, according to MSZ 6354-3:2008 standard in climate cabinet. Seed treatments (vernalisation, scarification) were carried out according to relevant standard. There were differences in the germination% of commercial and wild collected seed items of Agrimonia eupatoria L, Ajuga genevensis L, Lotus corniculatus L, and Achillea millefolium L. The applied seed treatments resulted significant difference between the treated and non-treated seed items most of the tested species related their germination%. For example in case of Anthyllis vulneraria L it was effective. Scarification was effective for commercial hard seed species like Lotus corniculatus L in our case, but it was not effective for Agrimonia eupatoria L. The aim of the treatments was to select those species which can be seed in the same time, will be easier applied to soil and climatic condition of the experiment site and to determine effect of pre-treatments on germination % of seeds of tested species.