Features of generative reproduction in plants of the genus Cercis L.

Oleksandr Babyn, Andrii Pinchuk
Abstract

The challenge of germinating Cercis L. seeds, caused by their physiological and physical dormancy, necessitates the improvement of generative propagation methods using growth stimulants. This study examined the influence of organo-mineral growth stimulants on the germination efficiency of experimental species seeds, as well as their subsequent impact on the morphometric parameters of seedlings. Field germination was determined by direct counting of germinated seeds, while laboratory germination was assessed according to the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) methodology for evaluating seed quality. Statistical data processing was performed using MS Excel (one-way ANOVA and Standard Deviation). The study revealed a statistically significant effect of the tested preparations on seed germination efficiency. It was found that Cercis siliquastrum “Alba” seeds exhibited the highest germination rate when treated with Succinic acid at a concentration of 1 g/L. For Cercis canadensis L., the preparations “Megafol” (5.0 mL/L, germination rate 70-77%) and “Alga 600” (1.25 g/L, germination rate 50-70%) demonstrated a positive effect. Additionally, experimental data showed that seedlings derived from stimulant-treated seeds exhibited greater growth increments compared to the control group. Treatment with “Succinic acid” resulted in a 2.5-2.9-fold increase in Cercis siliquastrum “Alba” seedlings. Similarly, Cercis canadensis L. seedlings from seeds treated with “Succinic acid” showed nearly double the growth increment. Application of “Radifarm” (5.0 mL/L) increased the height of Cercis canadensis L. seedlings by approximately 1.6-fold

Keywords

seed propagation, Judas tree, seedlings, growth stimulants, germination

Suggested citation
Babyn, O., & Pinchuk, A. (2025). Features of generative reproduction in plants of the genus Cercis L.. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 21(2),134-147. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/2.2025.134
References
  1. Anderson, L., & Milberg, P. (1998). Variation in seed dormancy among mother plants, populations and years of seed collection. Seed Science Research, 8, 29-38. doi: 10.1017/S0960258500003883.
  2. Babyn, O., Pinchuk, A., Derii, A., Boyko, O., & Likhanov, A. (2024). Influence of urban environment factors on morphometric parameters and accumulation of secondary metabolites in Cercis canadensis L. and Cercis siliquastrum “Alba”. Ukrainian Journal of Forest and Wood Science, 15(1), 8-24. doi: 10.31548/forest/1.2024.08.
  3. Bewley, J.D., & Black, M. (1985). Seed: Physiology of development and germination. Heidelberg: Springer Science+Business Media.
  4. Chattha, F.A., Kousar, S., Naeem, F., & Ahmad, S. (2025). Connotation of plant growth regulators on seed germination. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 47(1), 343-356. doi: 10.9734/jeai/2025/v47i13236.
  5. Convention on Biological Diversity. (1992, June). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_030#Text
  6. Demel, T. (1996). Germination ecology of twelve indigenous and eight exotic multipurpose leguminous species from Ethiopia. Forest Ecology and Management, 80, 209-223. doi: 10.1016/0378-1127(95)03616-4.
  7. Fernandez, H., Doumas, P., & Bonnet-Masimbert, M. (1997). Quantification of GA₁, GA₃, GA₄, GA₇, GA₈, GA₉, GA₁₉ and GA₂₀; and GA₂₀ metabolism in dormant and nondormant beechnuts. Plant Growth Regulation, 22(1), 29-35. doi: 10.1023/A:1005814926549.
  8. Frett, J.L., & Dirr, M.A. (1979). Scarification and stratification requirements for seed of Cercis canadensis L. (redbud), Cladrastis lutea (Michx. f.) C. Koch (yellowwood), and Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) C. Koch (Kentucky coffee tree)Plant Propagator, 25(2), 4-6.
  9. Garg, F.C. (2024). Role of microorganisms in seed germination. In New perspectives on seed germination. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.1006270.
  10. Gebre, G.H., & Karam, N.S. (2004). Germination of Cercis siliquastrum seeds in response to gibberellic acid and stratification. Seed Science and Technology, 32(1), 255-260. doi: 10.15258/sst.2004.32.1.29.
  11. Grbić, M., Skočajić, D., Đukić, M., Đunisijević-Bojović, D., Obratov-Petković, D., & Bjedov, I. (2014). Breaking of Judas tree seed dormancy by plant hormone treatments. Glasnik Šumarskog Fakulteta, 109, 73-84. doi: 10.2298/GSF1409073G.
  12. International Seed Testing Association. (2025). International rules for seed testing. Bassersdorf: International Seed Testing Association. doi: 10.15258/istarules.2025.F.
  13. Koldar, L.A. (2003). Features of ornamental planting material formation of Cercis species by transplantingIntroduction of Plants, 1-2, 113-116.
  14. Liu, N.Y., Khatamian, H., & Freta, T.A. (1981). Seed coat structure of three woody legume species after chemical and physical treatments to increase seed germination. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 106(5), 691-694. doi: 10.21273/JASHS.106.5.691.
  15. Martinuzzi, R., Gastaldo, P., Profumo, P., & Riggio Bevilacqua, L. (1985). Bound ferulic acid in the endosperm of Cercis siliquastrum L. Plant Science, 38(1), 41-46. doi: 10.1016/0168-9452(85)90077-9.
  16. Müller, K., Tintelnot, S., & Leubner-Metzger, G. (2006). Endosperm-limited Brassicaceae seed germination: Abscisic acid inhibits embryo-induced endosperm weakening of Lepidium sativum (cress) and endosperm rupture of cress and Arabidopsis thalianaPlant and Cell Physiology, 47(6), 864-877. doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcj059.
  17. Nimavat, N., & Parikh, P. (2024). Innovations in Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) micropropagation: detailed review of in vitro culture methods and plant growth regulator applications. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 159, article number 6. doi: 10.1007/s11240-024-02866-7.
  18. Orozco-Almanza, M.S., Leon-Garcia, L.P., Grether, R., & Garcia-Moya, E. (2003). Germination of four species of the genus Mimosa (Leguminosae) in a semi-arid zone of Central Mexico. Journal of Arid Environments, 55, 75-92. doi: 10.1016/S0140-1963(02)00265-3.
  19. Pieraccini, R., Whatley, L., Koedam, N., Vanreusel, A., Dolch, T., Dierick, J., & Van der Stocken, T. (2025). Gibberellic acid and light effects on seed germination in the seagrass Zostera marinaPhysiologia Plantarum, 177(2), article number e70137. doi: 10.1111/ppl.70137.
  20. Pipinis, E., Milios, E., Smiris, P., & Gioumousidis, C. (2011). Effect of acid scarification and cold moist stratification on the germination of Cercis siliquastrum L. seeds. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 35(3), 259-264. doi: 10.3906/tar-1003-848.
  21. Profumo, P., Gastaldo, P., & Martinuzzi, R. (1979). On the inhibiting action of the endosperm on the seed germination of Cercis siliquastrumExperientia, 35(11), 1452-1453. doi: 10.1007/BF01962777.
  22. Rosner, L.S., Harrington, J.T., Dreesen, D.R., & Murray, L. (2003). Sulfuric acid scarification of wax currant seeds from New Mexico. Native Plants Journal, 4, 65-71. doi: 10.3368/npj.4.1.65.
  23. Szymajda, M., & Maciorowski, R. (2025). Seed preparation methods for increasing the germination of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.). Forests, 16(3), article number 516. doi: 10.3390/f16030516.
  24. Tipton, J. L. (1992). Requirements for seed germination of Mexican redbud, evergreen sumac, and mealy sageHortScience, 27, 313-316.
  25. Wang, X., Kubenka, K., Hilton, A., Chatwin, W., Cox, T., & Shu, S. (2025). The effects of freezing and stratification on pecan (Carya illinoinensis) seed germination and seedling growth. Technology in Horticulture, 5, article number e002. doi: 10.48130/tihort-0024-0030.
  26. Zencirkıran, M., Tümsavaş, Z., & Ünal, H. (2010). The effects of different acid treatment and stratification duration on germination of Cercis siliquastrum L. seedsNotulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 38(1), 159-163.
  27. Zhou, R., Boboev, M., Kurbonova, P., Li, W.J., & Lu, T. (2025). Seed germination of the medicinal plant Ferula giganteaSeed Science and Technology, 53(1), 17-21. doi: 10.15258/sst.2025.53.1.03.