Abstract
Seeds of three provenances of Rhododendron catawbiense Michx. (Catawba rhododendron) were collected during Fall 1992 from the following localities in the southeastern United States: Cherokee Co., GA [34°20′N, 84°23′W, elev. = 320 m (1050 ft)], Johnston Co., NC [35°45′N, 78°12′W, elev. = 67 m (220 ft)], and Yancey Co., NC [35°45′N, 82°16′W, elev. = 1954 m (6410 ft)]. Following drying for 1 month and storage at 4°C (39°F), seeds were removed from storage in January 1993 and germinated at 25°C (77°F) or an 8/16 hr thermoperiod of 25°/15°C (77°/59°F) with daily photoperiods of 0, ½, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 hr. Regardless of temperature and provenance, seeds required light for germination. Negligible germination for all provenances in total darkness was overcome by daily photoperiods as short as ½ hr. All provenances commenced germination earlier at 25°C (77°F) than at 25°/15°C (77°/59°F). Mean germination at day 24 for both temperature treatments and for all photoperiods with the exception of total darkness was 98%, 90%, and 80% for the Yancey, Johnston, and Cherokee Co. provenances respectively. Light and temperature requirements for seed germination of all provenances were similar, although seeds of the higher elevation, Yancey Co. provenance exhibited greater vigor; they germinated at a faster rate with greater cumulative germination.
Seed Germination of Three Provenances of Rhododendron catawbiense: Influence of Light and Temperature
