African Journal of
Plant Science

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Plant Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0824
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPS
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 807

Full Length Research Paper

Filing considerably breaks seed dormancy of Berchemia discolour Hemsley

Jephris Gere*
  • Jephris Gere*
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Bindura University of Science Education, P Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
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Rangarirayi Karidzangundi
  • Rangarirayi Karidzangundi
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Bindura University of Science Education, P Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
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Victor Ntuli
  • Victor Ntuli
  • Department of Biology, National University of Lesotho, P. O. Roma 180, Lesotho, South Africa.
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Tendayi Nyamugure
  • Tendayi Nyamugure
  • Department of Environmental Sciences, Bindura University of Science Education, P Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
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Silas M. Mudyiwa
  • Silas M. Mudyiwa
  • Department of Environmental Sciences, Bindura University of Science Education, P Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
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Alfred Kundhlande
  • Alfred Kundhlande
  • Department of Environmental Sciences, Bindura University of Science Education, P Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
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  •  Received: 19 March 2015
  •  Accepted: 26 May 2015
  •  Published: 30 June 2015

Abstract

In this study, the effectiveness of different pre-treatment methods for the breakings of seed dormancy in Berchemia discolour Hemsley seeds was assessed. Viable seeds were randomly sampled and subjected to different pre-treatment methods which include filing, soaking in 98% concentrated sulphuric acid, pre-chilling and boiling. For each treatment, ten seeds were used and three replications were done for each treatment. The investigation revealed that filing enhances seed germination and seed dormancy is likely due to the hard seed coat which has to be weakened or broken gently to avoid embryo damage, thus facilitating germination. Although, filing caused seeds to germinate, the mean germination rate of 13.3% that was achieved is too low to make this investigation conclusive. Further studies similar to this are recommended to improve the germination rate to higher than 30%.

 

Key words: Dormancy, filing, germination, pre-chilling, pre-treatment.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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