Temperature and light effects on germination of Lavandula stoechas seeds

To investigate the effects of temperature and light on germination of Lavandula stoechas seeds, were incubation at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 degreesC and dark and light (12hr) conditions for 25 days was implemented. Seeds incubated 5, 30 and 35 degreesC, under light or dark failed to germinate. Increased seed germination was observed at 10. 15 and 20 degreesC under light or dark conditions while seeds incubated at 25 degreesC in darkness showed maximum germination 37.5%. Germination capacity at 10 degreesC under light was maximised (96.2%) and decreased to 76.2% at higher incubation temperature up to 25 degreesC. Seeds incubated at light, germinated earlier compared to dark, with the exception of 25 degreesC at which the onset of germination showed a lag time of 5 and 4 days, for light and dark, respectively. It is concluded that L. stoechas seeds germinate best at 15+/-5 degreesC under 12hr photoperiod conditions.