The Influence of Stratification on Seedling Emergence and Growth of Narrow-Leaved Lavender and its Cultivars

The research was conducted in the years 2009-2011. The research material included narrow-leaved lavender Lavandula angustiolia and its three cultivars: ‘Hidcote Blue Strain’, ‘Hidcote Superior’ and ‘Rosea’. Five variants of seed stratification were used: 1. control (seeds which did not undergo stratification); 2. seeds stratified for 4 weeks; 3. seeds stratified for 6 weeks; 4 seeds stratified for 8 weeks; 5. seeds stratified for 10 weeks. The following measurements and observations were performed during the experiment: earliness of seedling emergence depending on the stratification time, biometric characteristics of the seedling - height, number of leaves, number of stems and the average root length. Seeds of narrow-leaved lavender and its cultivars, emerge more rapidly and effectively when subjected to a stratification treatment at 4oC, as compared to unstratified seeds. Regardless of the taxon, a 4-week stratification period is too short to overcome dormancy in the majority of seeds and to improve their emergence.