Effect of the Interaction between the Geographical Seed's Source of Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis L) and Dormancy-Breaking Treatment on Seedlings Germination and Growth.

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Bouqa Agricultural Center in Lattakia Governorate during 2023–2024 on seeds of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L) collected from four different and diverse locations within the governorate: Kasab, Bouqa, Slunfeh, and Joubet Barghal. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the interaction between geographical seed's sources and pre-sowing treatments on germination and growth of bay laurel. The treatments were mechanical scarification, Gibberellic acid (GA₃( treatment at a concentration of 2000 ppm, and a control treatment. Germination percentage and mean germination rate were measured, in addition to various growth parameters, including shoot and root length, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight, and the number of leaves and lateral roots per seedling. All data were statistically analysed using two-way ANOVA then the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at the 5% significance level to determine differences among treatments and seed sources.

The study showed that mechanical scratching treatment (T3) was significantly superior to gibberellic acid treatment at 2000 ppm (T2) and the control (T1).

The Kasab site (S2) significantly surpassed other sources as a seed source in germination indicators and most growth indicators, While no significant differences were recorded for the treatments or sources in root mass length and stem diameter.