Nitrogen fertilization stimulates germination of dormant pin cherry seed

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilizers triggered germination of dormant Prunuspensylvanica L. seed naturally buried in the forest floor of 60-year-old Allegheny hardwood stands. Neither triple superphosphate nor muriate of potash applied with urea increased germination over that which occurred with urea alone. Rates as low as 56 kg/ha N from urea and calcium nitrate and 112 kg/ha N from ammonium sulfate stimulated germination. Nitrate was apparently responsible for breaking dormancy.