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Effects of Scarification and Stratification on Germination of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) seeds

Jessica S. Kurylo and Anton G. Endress

Effects of Scarification and Stratification on Germination of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) seeds

Rhamnus cathartica is an invasive shrub from Eurasia. A limited number of investigations have reported on the species’ germination requirements. This study looked at the effects of acid scarification and stratification at different moisture levels on germination. Both scarification and stratification hastened germination and shortened the germination period, but germination rates were significantly reduced with scarification. Moist and wet stratification without scarification yielded the highest germination rates. Results suggest R. cathartica seeds may possess two levels of dormancy. Aside from needed removal from the fruit, the seed coat also appears to promote some level of dormancy given the decreased time to germination after both scarification and stratification.