Cold Stratification of Salvia azurea var. grandiflora Benth. (Lamiaceae) seeds to Break Dormancy

Abstract

Seed dormancy and its maintenance rely on a range of environmental signals and cues such as
light, temperature, soil pH, and moisture. A significant contributor to the cycle of dormancy and
germination is temperature. Salvia azurea var. grandiflora Benth. is an Oklahoma native perennial
that produces blue flowers with one seed per flower. Seeds were collected from four sites in
Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties, OK, and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups:
no cold stratification, 3-week cold stratification, and 6-week cold stratification. Seeds were
monitored daily, and seed germination date was recorded for analysis. Survival analysis indicated
there was a significant correlation between the amount of time in a cold stratification environment
and number of seeds that germinated. Seeds in the 6-week cold stratification treatment group
exhibited increased germination compared to the other two treatment groups.