EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT GROWING MEDIA AND SOWING DEPTHS ON SEED GERMINATION OF CAPER (CAPPARIS OVATA DESF.)

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different sowing depths and growing media on germination percentage and germination rate of caper (Capparis ovata Desf.) seeds. Treatments applied to the seeds were 3 different sowing depths (0.5 cm, 1 cm and 1.5 cm) and 4 different growing media (forest soil+sand+manure (2:1:1); peat+manure (2:1); peat+perlite+manure (2:1:1) and peat+forest soil+manure (1:1:1)). The cold stratification treatment (at 4±1°) for 50 days was applied on the seeds to overcome seed dormancy. The seeds were sown in pot-trays at 24±1°C in the controlled greenhouse conditions. The statistical approach was a randomized complete block design with three replications and 60 seeds were used for each replication. Germinated seeds were observed periodically during 70 days to determine germination percentages and germination rates. The highest germination percentage (51.1%) was obtained from the growing medium of peat+perlite+manure (2:1:1) and sown in 1.0 cm-depth, the best germination rate (36 days) was determined from the same growing medium but sown in 1.5 cm-depth. On the other hand, the lowest germination percentage (2.8%) was determined from the seeds which were sown in the forest soil+sand+manure (2:1:1), in 0.5 cm depth.