Influence of endozoochory and stress conditions on the germination of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. seeds outside the natural range

One of the most invasive species in European forest ecosystems is black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. Although its ecology, invasiveness mechanisms and control methods have attracted considerable forest scientists interest, some issues related to the germination capacity of black cherry seeds require further clarification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the germination of various seed variants. The study was conducted in 2019-2022. Black cherry seeds were collected in September 2019 from badger faeces and standing trees. In total, 192 seeds were used for one variant of the experiment. Observations were made every two weeks from the appearance of the first black cherry seedlings. A Pearson's chi-squared test was used to analyse the probability of germination within a particular treatment. The total number of seeds germinated was 652 (34% of all seeds sown). The highest total share of black cherry seed germination in 2020 was observed in the seeds from badger faeces (65.1%), and the lowest in seeds that were frozen at -70 & DEG;C (1.04%) and at -18 & DEG;C (4.17%). In 2021, the highest total share of black cherry seed germination was observed in seeds incubated at 40 & DEG;C (13.02%), and the lowest in those that were frozen at -70 & DEG;C (0%). The number of seedlings in 2020 was much lower than in 2021; not a single black cherry seedling appeared in 2022. Endozoochory increases the invasiveness of black cherry. The pericarp inhibited germina- tion, but only when the seeds in the pericarp were frozen. Black cherry seeds lying in the soil retain their germination capacity for two years.