Seed dormancy

Abstract

Seed dormancy is a state where seeds do not germinate even when conditions are suitable. This study investigated the effects of different seed dormancy-breaking methods on the germination and early seedling growth of sweet apple (Annona squamosa). The research was conducted at the Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Gusau, Nigeria, using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two replications. Four treatments were applied: chemical scarification (65% H2SO4 for 3 minutes), hot water (80°C for 10 minutes), and cold water (24-hour soaking), and mechanical scarification (sandpaper abrasion), alongside an untreated control group. Results revealed significant differences in germination rates and seedling growth across treatments. Chemical scarification yielded the highest germination percentage (90%), followed by mechanical scarification (80%), cold water (65%), and hot water (50%), while the control group showed the lowest germination (25%). Seedling growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, and root length, were also significantly enhanced by scarification methods, with chemical scarification producing the tallest plants (8.6 cm) and most leaves (6.1cm), and mechanical scarification yielding the longest roots (9.1 cm). The study concludes that dormancy in A. squamosa seeds is primarily due to a hard seed coat, and chemical scarification is the most effective method for breaking dormancy. However, cold water soaking also proved viable, offering a practical alternative for resource-limited farmers.