Imbibition, Desiccation, and Reimbibition Effects on Light Requirements for Germinating Southern Pine Seeds

Slash ( Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii ) and loblolly ( P. taeda L.) pine seeds were stratified, exposed to light, then placed in total darkness and air-dried to 30, 25, 20, 15, and 10 percent moisture. They were then reimbibed and half were germinated in continued darkness, the other half under light. When total germination, days to reach 90 percent of total, and germination values were assessed, only germination values for loblolly pine in the dark were affected by desiccation and reimbibition. Light during germination increased all three measurement parameters of both species. Forest Sci. 28:539-543.