EVALUATION OF SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF SICILIAN AND INTERNATIONAL LOQUAT CULTIVARS

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica, Lindl) is commonly grafted on seedling rootstocks in Sicilian orchards. Seedling production is characterized by low germination percentage and velocity and slow plant growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate loquat seed germination of Sicilian and international cultivars. Seeds from 11 cultivars (Algerie, Bianco Dolce, BRT20, Claudia, Fiore, Golden Nugget, La Mantia, Magdal, Mercenò, Peluche, Tanaka) were collected from mature fruits in commercial orchards. Part of the seeds received a pretreatment with 1% HCl for 24 h. Germination data were collected at 30 days from sowing. Ninety days after germination, plants were transplanted into 2-L pots. The Sicilian cultivar Bianco Dolce had the highest germination in both seed pretreatments; among international cultivars, Peluche exhibited the highest germination in HCl pretreated seeds. In many cultivars, HCl pretreatment had a positive effect on germination.