Study of Germination of Phacelia Seeds at Different Temperatures

In 2017, under the laboratory conditions, the seed germination response to different temperature (10 degrees C, 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C) was tested. Two samples of seeds for each of two species of Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. and Phacelia congesta Hook.) were studied. The germination tests were performed according to standard ISTA methodologies in Petri dishes on the top of filter paper in thermostatic boxes. Control variants were placed to the thermostatic boxes immediately after the seeds were placed on the top of filter paper in Petri dishes. Other samples were prechilled at 5 degrees C for 3, 6 and 30 days. The most significant difference in germination energy (evaluated after 5 days) between control without prechilling and prechilled variants was found for the samples tested at 10 degrees C. The significant difference in germination energy between control and prechilled variants was found only for the samples of Phacelia congesta tested at 15 degrees C. There was positive effect of prechilling of seeds on germination for the Phacelia samples tested at 20 degrees C.