The effect of cold stratification and of gibberellic acid on the seed germination of wild musk yarrow [Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I. Richardson] populations

Publication date: Available online 29 July 2017 Source:Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Author(s): Nicola Aiello, Gabriella Lombardo, Sergio Giannì, Fabrizio Scartezzini, Pietro Fusani The aerial parts of musk yarrow [Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I. Richardson] are utilized in folk medicine and particularly in the alcohol industry for the preparation of aperitifs/bitters and liqueurs. Five wild populations, collected from natural sites (Monte Fregasoga, Passo Manghen, Valmaggiore, Rifugio Larcher al Cevedale, Città Morta) in the province of Trento (North-East Italy), were investigated with the aim of knowing their seed germination characteristics. The trials carried out on untreated seeds gave the following results: thousand seed weight of 0.25–0.28g, viable seeds of 79–94.5%, germination capacity of 41–70% and mean germination time of 13.3–19days. The seed stratified at 2°C in the dark for 14days and had a germination capacity of 75–86.5% and a mean germination time of 8.9–11.8days, while the seed treated with 50mgL−1 of gibberellic acid produced a germination capacity of 68–94% and a mean germination time of 12.5–19.1days.
Source: Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research