Catalyzing Germination:
Exploring Scarification and Hot Water Treatments for Dormancy Breaking and Enhanced
Storage in Ficus Benjamina L., Thespesia populnea L., Phyllanthus emblica L., Tectona
grandis L.f. seeds
Preethi Jenifer Praticia S.
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and
Veterinary Medicine;
Vol. 12(1); 9-15;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1201ijasvm09015; (2024)
Abstract
A seed is a significant stage in the plant life cycle and is often referred to as
the dispersal unit of the plant. There are two types of seeds: dormant seeds and
non-dormant seeds. A dormant seed is one that does not have the capacity to germinate
within a definite period under any combination of normal, physical and environmental
factors. The other type is favourable for germination and when the seed becomes
non-dormant, the circumstances that break dormancy and the location of water gaps
in seeds, remain unclear.
In the present study, we consider the adaptive role of impermeable coats in the
seeds of Ficus Benjamina L., Thespesia populnea L., Phyllanthus emblica L. and Tectona
grandis L.f. The study was particularly designed to analyze the conditions that
break dormancy and the location of the primary water gap during dormancy breaking.
Each seed was treated separately to break its dormancy and it was observed that
water entered only through the lens due to the dislodgement of the palisade layer.
Additionally, the storage life of Ficus Benjamina L. and Phyllanthus emblica L.,
seeds was extended as evidenced by the analysis of low moisture content decreasing
from 6.02% to 5.31%. This study concludes that the impermeable seed coat of seeds
with low moisture content increases storage life and regulates seed imbibition,
thus influencing germination with the growing season.
