Temperature and Scarification Effects on Germination of Prostrate Bundleflower Seeds

A hard seed coat restricts germination of prostrate bundleflower [Desmanthus virgatus var. depressus (Humbolt and Bonpland ex Willd.) Turner] seeds. Our objectives were to determine: (1) the effects of temperature on germination of scarified and untreated seeds in the light and dark and (2) the efficacy of various presowing treatments in increasing germination. Scarified (nicked with a razor blade) and untreated seeds were germinated at 5-15, 10-20, 15-25, 20-30, 25-35, and 30-40 degrees C (12 hours - 12 hours) in the dark or with light during the warmer temperature. Effects of scarification with 17 M H2 SO4, hot (80 degrees C) water, 0.7 mol liter-1 NaOCl, 2.9 mol liter-1 H2O2, and nicking with a razor blade on germination were compared. Maximum germination of untreated seeds was only 6%. Germination of scarified seeds exceeded 90% at 15-25 degrees C and higher temperatures. Light did not affect germination at optimal temperatures for germination. Nicking seeds with a razor blade, soaking 40 minutes in 17 M H2 SO4, and soaking 25 minutes in hot (80 degrees C) water resulted in 91, 88, and 78% germination, respectively, compared to 3% for controls. Our results indicated that, for best germination, seeds should be soaked 40 minutes in 17 M H2 SO4 or nicked with a razor and planted when mean minimum-maximum soil temperatures exceed 15-25 degrees C.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202