Methods to break seed dormancy of Astragalus cyclophyllon

• Published in: African journal of biotechnology Vol. 7; no. 21; pp. 3874 - 3877
• Main Authors: Keshtkar, A R, Keshtkar, H R, Razavi, S M, Dalfardi, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 05.11.2008
• Subjects: Astragalus
• ISSN: 1684-5315; 1684-5315

The aim of this study was to enhance the germination rate of Astragalus cyclophyllon seeds which have a very low germination rate under normal conditions. The seeds were soaked for 72 h in 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA sub(3)) solution, H sub(2)SO sub(4) concentrations (50 and 98%) at two treatment times (5 and 10 min) and 60, 80 and 100 degree C hot water at two treatment times (5 and 10 min) before placing in Petri dishes. The fresh seeds (non-stratified) of A. cyclophyllon had 55% germination. Analysis of variance indicated that both GA3 and H sub(2)SO sub(4) concentrations had significant effects on seed germination and final germination percentage. The highest germination percentage (81%) was obtained when the seeds were treated with 500 ppm GA sub(3). The results showed that hot water treatments are not useful methods for breaking the seeds dormancy.