Gibberellic acid breaks dormancy and hastens germination of creeping sage

Abstract

Creeping sage (Salvia sonomensis Greene), a semi-shrub, is useful for plantings to reduce fire hazard and to stabilize soil. The most effective, practical, and lasting technique to break seed dormancy was a soaking in gibberellic acid under constant agitation at 500 p.p.m. for 4 hours. Lesser concentrations of this acid and shorter soaking periods were satisfactory if the seeds were planted soon after treatment and if soil moisture and other conditions favored germination. Sulfuric acid, thiourea, hydrogen peroxide, hot water, and gibberellic acid slurry-used alone or in various combinations-were not as effective as the gibberellic acid soak and, in some instances, seriously damaged the seed.

Citation

Nord, Eamor C.; Gunter, Louis E.; Graham Jr., Stuart A. 1971. Gibberellic acid breaks dormancy and hastens germination of creeping sage. Res. Note PSW-RN-259. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 6 p