EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL-CONDITIONS AND THE HARVEST TIME ON THE SEED YIELD QUALITY OF VERBENA X HYBRIDA VOSS

Yield and germination of Verbena x hybrida Voss 'Amulet' and 'Malgosia ' seeds, collected at different dates in 1993 and 1994, were examined immediately after harvest or after 6 or 12 months storage. Mature seed s harvested at the beginning of October were heavier and germinated be tter than those obtained later. The best temperature for germination o f seeds, immediately after harvest was 5-15 degrees C. Germination inc reased when seeds were stored for 6 months in conditions favorable for preservation. Carbohydrate content was higher in the seeds harvested in early autumn and was lower in the seeds collected later. Compositio n of them depended on time of seed maturation.