Physical scarification and hydrogen peroxide treatment improves germination of Vangueria infausta seed

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 1989-01, Vol.28 (3), p.301-308
• Main Authors: Msanga, Heriel P., Maghembe, J.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; ESCARIFICACION; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; GERMINACION; GERMINATION; HYDROGEN PEROXIDE; PEROXIDO DE HIDROGENO; PEROXYDE D'HYDROGENE; RUBIACEAE; SCARIFICATION; Seeds and other planting stocks
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1127(89)90009-1

The effects of physical seed coat scarification and soaking in hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) were studied to determine presowing treatments that would improve germination in seed of Vangueria infausta. The study involved two experiments, the first conducted in the laboratory, and the second in the nursery. The scarification treatments were: unscarified control; partial removal of the seed coat at the radical end; and total removal of the seed coat. The other treatments involved soaking the seeds in 5 concentrations of H 2O 2, i.e., 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%, for 12 h. Generally, less than 70% of the seeds germinated. The best germination results, (71% in the laboratory and 63% in the nursery) were obtained in seeds with partial removal of the seed coat when soaked in 6% H 2O 2 for 12 h. Germination in other treatments involving partial removal of the seed coat was higher than that of unscarified seed in the nursery, although laboratory values were nearly the same. Seeds whose seed coat was completely removed germinated poorly (5–16%), as a result of rapid water uptake which caused damage to internal seed structures. Hydrogen peroxide application at concentrations of 2–6% positively improved germination, while 8% H 2O 2 seemed to have a depressive effect. The impact of scarification and H 2O 2 on other germination parameters is discussed.