The Effects of Cold Stratification, Cold Storage and Gibberellic acid (GA3) on Seed Germination of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)
Abstract
Abstract
 Aim of study: The effects of cold stratification, cold storage and gibberellic acid (GA3) on seed germination of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) were investigated. 
 Area of study: Ripe berries of V.myrtillus were collected from the Kaz Mountains (İda Mount) National Park-Balıkesir province in Turkey. 
 Material and methods: In the study five levels of cold moist stratification period, cold dry storage period (control, 15, 30, 60, 90 days) at +4 ºC and three dose of GA3 (control, 500, 1000, 1500 mg/L) treatments were applied. Data were tested independently by ANOVA according to three factors with three replications. 50 seeds were used for each treatment for each replication. 
 Main results: Cold stratifications, cold storage and GA3 treatments did not increase the germination percentage of bilberry seeds. Germination was found between 23-40% in all experiments. 
 Highlights: Different pretreatments are advised for increasing germination percentage of V. myrtillus L. seeds