Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-173 230, Solan, (Himachal Pradesh).
*Corresponding author's: E-mail: malikrashid2@gmail.com
1Present address: Research Associate, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263 643, (Uttarakhand).
Natural regeneration is lacking in Pinus gerardiana Wall. commonly known as chilgoza and artificial regeneration has to be resorted to produce quality seedling for planting performance in the species. Seeds were subjected to six stratification durations (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days) and four temperature treatments to break the dormancy. Stratification of 45 to 60 days as outdoor-pit treatment (16.5°/4.5°C:d/n) followed by 4±1°C temperature accelerates the germination along with significant increase in reducing sugar, total sugar and soluble protein while decreasing the total starch content in stratified seeds.
Biochemical changes, dormancy, germination, Pinus gerardiana, stratification
