Pretreatment for removing seed coat impermeability in Corchorus species
Abstract
The effect of different pre-treatments to reduce the seed coat imposed dormancy in the two species of Corchorus viz. olitorius and capsularis were studied. Results Indicated that the two species exhibited significant differences In their response to various treatments. For olitorius: the best overall response was obtained when seeds were subjected to hot water treatment, the optimum durations being 6S°C for 30 minutes (80%) and 80°C for 3 minutes (79%). On the other hand, concentrated acid treatment and mechanical scarification using fine sand paper provided the most rapid and effective methods for breaking seed coat imposed dormancy (96% germination as against 13%) in capsularis seeds. Besides, the effects of sub-zero storage at −20°C for one year, and application of dry heat at 65°C for 24 hrs were also studied and the results discussed.
Keywords
Corchorus capsulans, C. olitorius, scarification, sub-zero storage, dry heat, hard seed
