The influence of temperature and light on seed germination of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.)

It has been discovered that mugwort can occasionally produce viable, seeds also in Turkey. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature and light on germination of mugwort seeds collected from five different locations of Turkey. Experiments were conducted under nine constant temperatures, and three light conditions. Germination of mugwort seeds was influenced from temperature, but almost independent from light conditions. The highest germination percentages were achieved at temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees C. In general, lower and higher temperatures resulted in reduction of germination percentages, and germination was totally inhibited at 45 degrees C. Time (day) required for final germination percentage decreased progressively with increasing temperature. It was estimated that optimum germination temperature was approximately 29 degrees C for three Black Sea Region lots, 30 degrees C for Aegean lot, and 33 degrees C for Mediterranean lot. The optimum temperature for means of all seed lots (Turkey) was 29 degrees C. The results of this study are important to understand germination requirements of mugwort, allowing development and improvement of management strategies specific to mugwort.