Germination testing and vitality of embrion of the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The paper presents two-year results of seed germination and vitality testing of embryos of the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill). Samples for analysis were collected in 6 natural populations of sweet chestnut in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bužim, Kostajnica, Banjaluka, Prijedor, Bratunac i Konjic). The sample for testing germination as well as embryo vitality was conducted on 4x50 seeds for each population. Determining the quality of the fruit was done by direct method germination and indirect method-TZ test, according to the instructions of “The International Seed Testing Association” (ISTA 2003). The obtained results indicate low average seed germination as well as low embryo vitality in both years of research. Differences between populations as well as poor seed quality may be result of individual genetic constitution as well as poor weather conditions during the vegetation period and during the period of seeds collection. The results are important for nursery production.