Influence of Cold Stratification and Germination on Saponins in Pinus pinea Seeds

Abstract

Saponin determination were made on several types o[ seeds: non-stratified, stratified on wetted vermiculite at 4º C during several periods, seeds on germination in a Jacobsen chamber at 29° C and on seedlings with radicle lengths ranging from 1 to 130 mm.

The highest levels of saponin increase was reached on the 4tb day of stratification, followed by another increase after values decreased afterwards but always remained higher then those obtained before initiation of stratification.

When the seedling radicles reached lengths of 5-15 mm. and lengths of 100-130 mm, germination produced significant increases of up to 60.86 mg/100 g of dry weight. Soaking Pinus pinca seeds in strong concentrations of saponin produced a decrease in the germination percentage. At low concentrations, howewer, it stimulated germination.