Which term describes the practice of stratifying seeds by keeping them in moist perlite at cold temperatures for several weeks?

Which term describes the practice of stratifying seeds by keeping them in moist perlite at cold temperatures for several weeks?

• A. Scarification
• B. Hardening
• C. Stratification
• D. Forcing

Answer: (C)

Stratification is a dormancy-breaking process that mimics winter by exposing seeds to a cold, moist environment for several weeks. Some seeds have physiological dormancy and won’t germinate until they experience a sustained cold period. Keeping seeds in a moist medium like perlite at cool temperatures (roughly 34–41°F or 1–5°C) provides the necessary moisture and chill to release that dormancy. After this treatment, seeds are ready to germinate when exposed to warmer, brighter conditions. This method is distinct from scarification, which physically breaks or weakens the seed coat; hardening, which prepares plants for outdoor conditions; and forcing, which refers to pushing growth under controlled conditions rather than breaking seed dormancy.

Stratification is a dormancy-breaking process that mimics winter by exposing seeds to a cold, moist environment for several weeks. Some seeds have physiological dormancy and won’t germinate until they experience a sustained cold period. Keeping seeds in a moist medium like perlite at cool temperatures (roughly 34–41°F or 1–5°C) provides the necessary moisture and chill to release that dormancy. After this treatment, seeds are ready to germinate when exposed to warmer, brighter conditions. This method is distinct from scarification, which physically breaks or weakens the seed coat; hardening, which prepares plants for outdoor conditions; and forcing, which refers to pushing growth under controlled conditions rather than breaking seed dormancy.