Length of cold stratification period affects germination in green alder (Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC. subsp. crispa (Aiton) Turrill) seed collected from northwestern Alberta

Abstract

Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC. subsp. crispa (Aiton) Turrill (Betulaceae), commonly known as green alder or mountain alder, is a boreal shrub used to revegetate disturbed lands because of its ability to persist and flourish in adverse conditions. Cold stratification, as a seed pretreatment, has been effective in breaking the embryo dormancy of green alder seed; however, the recommended duration of cold stratification varies from 0 to 60 d. To determine the optimum time for seed collection and the impact of duration of cold stratification, seed was collected from 3 locations in 2013. One location was chosen for collection of seed over 3 consecutive mo. Seed was subjected to 4 cold stratification treatments at +4 °C (39.2 °F), and we included a non-treated control. Mean germination time was significantly lower with cold-stratified seed than with the non-stratified seed. Green alder seed showed more rapid and uniform germination when cold stratified for 2 wk or 6 wk as compared to 12 wk of stratification or non-stratified. Germination rate of green alder seed was similar over a 3-mo collection period from late summer to fall.