Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LVIII
Written by Galia PANAYOTOVA, Neli GROZEVA, Mima TODOROVA, Marya GERDZHIKOVA

Betonica bulgarica Degen & Nejceff is a Bulgarian endemic species protected under the Biological Diversity Act andincluded in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria, vol.1. Plants and fungi in the category “endangered“. Theaim of this research was to study seeds germination of endemic species Betonica bulgarica Deg. et Neic, as well as1000 seeds weight of four natural habitats from the Nature Park Sinite Kamani, Bulgaria. Harvested seeds from plantsin the Sinite Kamani Nature Park were collected by means of insulators to assist the natural reproduction of thepopulations. The seed germination was studied in petri dishes after different temperature treatments - in a laboratory at15°C, in a thermostat at 20°C and 25°C, at a temperature of 5°C, treated with water at 35°C, and direct sowing in thesoil without any treatment. It was found that B. bulgarica is characterized by a prolonged period of germination andemergence. The best results were achieved after direct sowing in soil - 35.0%, followed by seeds placed for germinationin laboratory conditions at 15°C - 25.0 %. Treatments of stratification and hot water at 35°C did not give good resultsfor seed germination. The 1000-seed weight of four populations was an average of 0.971 g, from 0.840 to 1.055 g.

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