Effects of Acid Scarification, Priming with PEG, NaCl or Sea Water as Osmoticum and Dehydration on Spinach Seed Germination at 30.DEG.C.

Abstract

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) seeds were scarified with an 18 N H2SO4 solution, then primed for one week at 10°C in PEG-6000, NaCl or natural sea water. Germination tests were carried out at 30°C, which is normally inhibitory for spinach seed germination. The germination rate of scarified seeds was higher than the untreated ones. Four successive use of the acid solution did not reduce its scarifying potential; the most suitable soaking time depended on seed size. When seeds were dehydrated and stored for 10 months after scarification and NaCl priming, more than 80% germinated at 30°C. Sea water, which is also effective as a priming agent, could replace either PEG-6000 or NaCl. The priming method developed in this study may be useful especially at high temperatures in summer.