EFFECTS OF IMBIBITION, SCARIFICATION AND MOISTURE CONTENT ON SEED GERMINATION OF BACCAUREA SAPIDA

Abstract

The germinability of freshly collected Baccaurea sapida seeds improved with scarification. The seeds exhibited hard seed coat with only 40% germination in the controls. Seeds scarified mechanically by rubbing against sand paper at the micropylar end had high germination (99%), with higher germination index and lower mean germination time compared with the control. Germinability of seeds was improved by soaking seeds in hot water and through mechanical scarification opposite the micropylar end (70 and 75% germination respectively). Seed coat did not act as a mechanical barrier to emergence of embryo but prevented water entry for initiating germination. Therefore, B. sapida seeds should be sown immediately after collection and mechanical scarification.