Abstract

Berberis holstii is the only African representative of the Palearctic genus, Berberis. In Malawi, it is only found on Nyika Plateau where it is intensively and illegally harvested despite legislation banning its collection. Efforts to propagate it by seed have proved futile. This study investigated its germination response under light and stratification treatments. Ripe seeds were germinated under light/dark and chilling conditions, and constant/alternate temperature regimes. Seeds germinated equally well in light and dark conditions except under 20/5°C temperature where stratified seeds exposed to light failed to germinate. Under constant temperature, seeds germinated slightly better in light (about 50%). Seeds that were in dark germinated better under alternating temperatures (up to 80%). Because germination is not restricted by light, the species is unlikely to form a soil seed bank. 

Key words: Barberry, photoblastism, temperature, stratification.