Effect of light on germination of Argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) seeds

The effect of light was investigated in the aim to improve germination, which is a limiting factor for Argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) nursery plant production. Seeds from six different mother-trees were cold stored (4 degreesC), scarified before to be soaked in gibberellic acid (GA3) solution. Seeds were germinated at a 16 / 8 hours thermoperiod of 25 / 16 degreesC. Two light treatments were compared: daylight (14 hours photoperiod) and complete darkness. We assessed germination percentage, time to germination and germination period. In darkness the beginning of germination is delayed, the germination rate lowered as the final germination percentage (69.4% for light and 44.7% for darkness). Although there were significant differences between mother- trees, no interactions were observed between mother-tree and light treatment except for interval of germination, seeds of all mother-trees showing increased germination percentages under light conditions as compared to darkness.