Catalyzing Germination: Exploring Scarification and Hot Water Treatments for Dormancy Breaking and Enhanced Storage in Ficus Benjamina L., Thespesia populnea L., Phyllanthus emblica L., Tectona grandis L.f. seeds

Abstract

A seed is a significant stage in the plant life cycle and is often referred to as the dispersal unit of the plant. There are two types of seeds: dormant seeds and non-dormant seeds. A dormant seed is one that does not have the capacity to germinate within a definite period under any combination of normal, physical and environmental factors. The other type is favourable for germination and when the seed becomes non-dormant, the circumstances that break dormancy and the location of water gaps in seeds, remain unclear. In the present study, we consider the adaptive role of impermeable coats in the seeds of Ficus Benjamina L., Thespesia populnea L., Phyllanthus emblica L. and Tectona grandis L.f. The study was particularly designed to analyze the conditions that break dormancy and the location of the primary water gap during dormancy breaking. Each seed was treated separately to break its dormancy and it was observed that water entered only through the lens due to the dislodgement of the palisade layer. Additionally, the storage life of Ficus Benjamina L. and Phyllanthus emblica L., seeds was extended as evidenced by the analysis of low moisture content decreasing from 6.02% to 5.31%. This study concludes that the impermeable seed coat of seeds with low moisture content increases storage life and regulates seed imbibition, thus influencing germination with the growing season.