Germination and dormancy breaking requirements were studied in Selinum carvifolia (L.) L. and Angelica sylvestris L. (Apiaceae). Seeds of these two species have an underdeveloped embryo and are morpho-physiologically dormant. The embryo does not start to grow until physiological dormancy is broken by cold stratification. Incubating seeds at fluctuating temperatures in the light, after cold stratification, had a stimulating effect on embryo growth and seed germination. Seeds of S. carvifolia and A. sylvestris have non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy (MPD), since gibberellic acid (GA3) could substitute for cold stratification. This is the first report of non-deep simple MPD that is broken by cold stratification in the Apiaceae. Under natural conditions, physiological dormancy is broken by low temperature conditions during winter. Embryo growth and germination occur in a short time interval when temperatures start rising in early spring. Due to the fact that multiple environmental signals regulate dormancy, seedling emergence in these species is timed very accurately in spring.
