The combined effect of stratification (chilling) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or gibberellic acid (GA3) pretreatments on seed germination in peach (Prunus persica) and three different wild almond species (P. scoparia, P. communis, and P. haussknechtii) was investigated. Mature seeds without endocarp were disinfected with 2% TMTD® fungicide solution for 30 min. Following surface-sterilization, seeds with shells were rinsed three times for 2 minutes each in sterile distilled water and then imbibed for 24 h in either distilled water (control), H2O2 (0.5 and 1%, 24 h) or GA3 (250 and 500 ppm, 30 min). Treated seeds were then stratified at 7°C for 1 to 9 weeks. The number of germinated seeds was recorded weekly for each species. There were significant differences in the percentage and time of seed germination between species and treatments although germination was earlier and more uniform in the treated seeds in comparison with the control in all species. The most effective pre-treatments for breaking dormancy during subsequent stratification were 0.5% H2O2 (P. scoparia), 500 ppm GA3 (P. communis, P. haussknechtii) and 250 ppm GA3 (P. persica).
