The influence of temperature and moisture availability during stratification on the subsequent germination of bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) seeds was investigated. The threshold for adequate stratification temperatures was abrupt. Temperatures above 5 degrees C were too warm and below 0 degrees C, too cold for stratification; 2 degrees C was optimum for the longest duration. Prolonged stratification resulted in decreased viability, apparently from microbial activity and early germination. Stratification in osmotic solutions produced with polyethylene glycol was totally ineffective. Soil water stress reduced the effectiveness of stratification, especially with sand as a substrate. Any departure from optimum temperature and moisture regimes prolonged the time required for stratification or negated any effect of the stratification treatment. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.