Effects of cold stratification and chemical treatments on seed germination in four hazelnut cultivars

Propagation of European hazelnut by seed is influenced by some seed treatments. In this investigation, effect of stratification period and some chemicals on seeds of four hazelnut cultivars were studied. GA3 and four months of stratification, each individually resulted in the highest germination percentage at 82.73% and 83.75%, respectively. There were significant differences between cultivars and treatments in terms of germination percentage and rate. The highest germination percentage and rate were observed in the local cultivar Gerd under GA3 treatment at 100 mg/L and also after four months of stratification.