Abstract
The genus hawthorn has a huge number of species and due to this diversity, pronounced polymorphism within the species is manifested. One of the most important indicators of the qualitative development of plants is its ability to reproduce - fruiting. For seed germination, various methods of pre-sowing treatment were tested: soaking, treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrothermal treatment, scarification, seed crushing, radiography. The studies made it possible to establish the most acceptable methods. The results of radiography and crushing were almost identical, the maximum number of the studied species have viable and good-quality seeds, and both crushing and radiography revealed larvae in the seeds of the European and Central Asian species, which had a negative effect on soil germination. Treatment of hawthorn seed covers with sulfuric acid gives good results, and hydrothermal treatment, especially at high exposures, is not always acceptable for hawthorn seeds, especially for species with small seeds. Positive results were obtained from seeds extracted from fruits that had not reached morphological ripeness. The aim of the research is to determine the soil germination of hawthorn seeds.