Seed germination and dormancy breaking techniques for echinacea purpurea L.

Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae) is an important medicinal plant known as a disinfectant. Its germination percentage and germination rate is generally low due to dormancy. Dormancy and germination requirements were investigated in this plant. Seeds of Echinacea purpurea were subjected to different treatments including various levels of GA3 (100, 200 and 300 ppm), KNO3 (0.5, 1 and 1.5 percentage) and Cold stratification (7, 14, 21 and 28 days). The germination percentage and germination rate significantly increased in all of treatments than control. The highest germination and germination rate were obtained in Cold stratification treatment that induced about 98% germination. The mean germination time also improved in all of treatments than control. Lowest mean germination time also was observed in Cold stratification treatment