Improvement of Seedling Emergence of Lupinus texensis Hook. Following Seed Scarification Treatments

Abstract

Seeds from four commercial seedlots of Lupinus texensis Hook. (Texas bluebonnet) were placed in concentrated sulfuric acid for 0 to 120 minutes and then sown. Emergence was promoted by acid scarification in three of the four seedlots. For the lots that responded to acid scarification, the optimal scarification time was 30–60 minutes which resulted in 85–95% emergence one month after planting. In addition to increasing the total number of seedlings that emerged, acid scarification hastened emergence. The same aliquot of sulfuric acid was used for five 60-minute scarification periods before its efficacy was reduced. Acid scarification did not reduce seed coat thickness or strength but created several small pores in the seed coat which likely facilitated imbibition. Cutting, filing, or piercing the seed coat promoted emergence to a similar extent. Placement of seeds in 85%C (185%F) water and then cooling for 24 hrs promoted emergence relative to the non-treated controls, but was not as effective as other scarification techniques. Freezing and thawing of seeds had no effect on emergence. Results indicate that acid scarification functions by removing a mechanical rather than a chemical barrier to gennination of L. texensis.

Effects of Scarification, Phytohormones, Soil Type, and Warming on the Germination and/or Seedling Performance of Three Tamaulipan Thornscrub Forest Species

“…Seeds with water-impermeable seed coats, such as Ebenopsis , exhibit physical dormancy and require physical or chemical scarification to trigger germination [ 27 , 33 ]. Abrasion of the seed coat breaks dormancy [ 25 ] by permitting gas exchange and imbibition through specialized structures [ 34 ] or by creating one or more small channels [ 35 ]. Various natural modes of scarification exist, including gut passage and physical weathering [ 36 , 37 ], which can be replicated by growers via mechanical or chemical methods [ 38 ].…”

“…Various natural modes of scarification exist, including gut passage and physical weathering [ 36 , 37 ], which can be replicated by growers via mechanical or chemical methods [ 38 ]. A common approach is to soak or coat seeds in concentrated sulfuric acid (SA) for a prescribed period of time before neutralizing the acid with agricultural lime [ 35 , 39 ]. This process is often more cost- and labor-efficient than mechanical scarification methods like nicking, piercing, or filing, especially with large quantities of seed.…”

Micropropagation of Lupinus texensis from Cotyledonary Node Explants

“…This species is adapted to a variety of environmental conditions and has been grown successfully in many parts of the world (Andrews, 1986). Thus, there is considerable interest in the commercial development of this species as an ornamental (Davis et al, 1991).Recent advances in plant biotechnology have opened new avenues for the develop-…”

“…The present report describes in vitro shoot and root formation in L. terensis. Seeds were scarified in concentrated sulfuric acid for 35 to 40 min (Davis et al, 1991) and rinsed with distilled water. Following scarification, the seeds were dipped in 70% ethanol for 30 sec and then rinsed four to five times with distilled water.…”

Estimation of Outcrossing in Basil

“…Further studies will be needed to determine if the four accessions in which cross pollination was very low are naturally self-pollinated, as suggested for some species by Darrah (1980) and Torrey (1989), or due to incompatibility with 'Dark Opal'. Seeds were scarified in concentrated sulfuric acid for 35 to 40 min (Davis et al, 1991) and rinsed with distilled water. Following scarification, the seeds were dipped in 70% ethanol for 30 sec and then rinsed four to five times with distilled water.…”