The effects of stratification methods on paper birch and yellow birch seed germination

Abstract

This study examines the use of both a typical cold moist stratification method, and an alternative in their ability to affect germination rates in paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). This alternative method entails the freezing and thawing of seeds every second day, while the standard method entails only a single freezing period. Both stratification methods and the experimental control (no stratification) were subjected to a month-long treatment period before germination tests were carried out. The alternative stratification method used in this study performed more poorly than the control, suggesting that freeze-thaw cycles may negatively affect germination of both yellow and paper birch, with germination tests resulting in 1.54% germination in paper birch, and 0.00% germination in yellow birch over a month-long trial period. The traditional method was beneficial to germination in both species, resulting in 67.69% germination for paper birch, and 36.00% germination for yellow birch over a month-long trial period.