Effect of Mechanical Scarification and Acid Scarification (H2SO4) on the Germination of Malus domestica Borkh.
Mudasir Qadir and Fatima Khan*
Department of Botany, Government Science & Commerce College, Benazeer Bhopal-462013 (India)
ABSTRACT
In the present investigation, seeds of Malus domestica Borkh. were subjected to mechanical scarification and acid scarification to achieve early germination by breaking dormancy. It was found that, on 7th day of sowing, 0% germination was achieved in case of seeds kept as control and H2SO4 treated seeds, whereas it was 90% in the seeds treated with mechanical scarification. Hence, it is inferred that Malus domestica seeds, before sowing should be treated with mechanical scarification (making cuts on the seed coats by knives or scissors) so as to achieve the early germination but it is important that the cut should be made carefully in the seeds so that may not damage the delicate embryonic tissues.