The Effect of Flowering Time on Seed Dormancy Breaking of Almond

Seed’s dormancy is considered as one of the effective factors in seeds germination and consequently in the growth of seeds of many plant species. Shortening the dormancy period and enhancing the germination percentage in fruit types could be a valuable strategy for the seed researchers and plant nurseries. In this research the seeds of mature fruits of different almond cultivars including late-very late flowering (Sahand), mid-late flowering (Touno) and early-very early flowering (Najafabad)cultivars with hard shells after being collected and prepared, were separated from the hull and were preserved under 18% dry moisture till the beginning of the experiment in a proper place. Seeds were disinfected with 2%TMTD® (Tetramethyl thiuram disulphide) fungicide solution for 30 minutes. Treated seeds, with and without endocarp, were stratified at 4 ◦C for 1–15 weeks. The numbers of germinated seeds were recorded weekly for each cultivar. The seeds were examined during cold stratification 4°C due with a view to the germination once a week. The results showed that different treatments have significant effect on the decrease of the time of different cultivars’ seed germination; in other words, on the decrease of the chilling requirement in them. In hard shell seeds of Touno, Sahand and Najafabad cultivars with different flowering time had higher germination rate and uniformity, respectively