Drying and cold storage affect germination of black huckleberry seeds

Trials were conducted to determine the effects of air drying and cold stora ge on black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum Douglas ex Hooker) seeds, T reatments included fresh seeds, seeds air-dried for 7 days, and those air-d ried and stored at 2 to 3 degreesC for either I or 7 fears. Germination was measured every 7 days, The time course of germination was modeled using a logistic growth curve from which days to 50% germination (T50), germination rate index, and maximum germination percentages were estimated. Germinatio n curves of dried and of dried and cold-stored seeds were significantly dif ferent from that of fresh seeds. Seeds stored for 1 or 7 years had germinat ion percentages similar to those for the fresh, nondried seeds. Air drying for 7 days reduced the maximum germination percentage from 73% to 59% (fres h seeds). This induced dormancy was gradually lost during cold storage of d ry seeds. Cold storage of air-dried seeds was an effective method for prese rving V, membranaceum germplasm for at least 7 years.