The light requirement for germination of Aster pilosus seeds: temporal aspects and ecological consequences.

Apparently, only after they become non-dormant during winter can seeds be light-stimulated to high germination percentages in darkness in spring. Thus, seeds that become buried in autumn or early winter should not germinate in spring, whereas if no other factors of the soil environment besides darkness prevent germination, seeds that become buried in late winter should germinate in spring.-from Authors