Germination of olive seeds as affected by chemical scarification, hot water dip, and gibberellic acid treatments

The following treatments were tested to improve seed germination of 'Koroneiki', 'Frangivento', and 'Pendolino' cultivars: chemical scarification by NaOH or H2SO4 at 0.1N or 1N concentrations, and 12 or 24 hours as treatment duration; GA(3) treatment at 500 or 1000 ppm during 16 hours; soaking for 12 or 24 hours in water heated at 40 degrees C; untreated control seeds. Control seeds of 'Koroneiki' cultivar germinated at the 34.6% level and only the 12 hours NaOH 0.1N and the 24 hours H2SO4 0.1N treatments increased their germination to over 41.0%. Twelve hours NaOH 0.1N treatment was the most effective for 'Frangivento' seeds as well. 'Pendolino' control seeds showed the lowest germination percentage of all the cultivars (9.2%), and many treatment enhanced them.