OVERCOMING SEED DORMANCY OF Robinia pseudoacacia L. AND Ceratonia siliqua L. SPECIES USING DIFFERENT PRETREATMENTS IN MALTA FOREST NURSERY – DUHOK

Abstract

Seeds of the legume species are characterized by physical hard seed coat dormancy. Several pre-sowing treatments were tested of these species to enhancing seed germination. This study was carried out in the Malta Forest Nursery to increasing the germination percentage of (Robinia pseudoacacia) and (Ceratonia siliqua) seeds. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete design with four replications. Both species, seeds were soaked in hot water at (80 Cᵒ) for 30, 60 and 90 min, and mechanical scarification; the second trait seeds treated with factorial experiment which were seeds of both two species soaked in sulfuric acid for 30, 60 and 90 min, and then immersed in tap water for 24, 48 and 72h. The results showed that the seeds of Robinia pseudoacacia species treated with hot water for 60 min were increased germination percentage (63.75%), and the same result obtained of Ceratonia siliqua seeds treated with hot water for 60 min (61%). In the factorial experiment, the seeds of Robinia pseudoacacia species were treated with Sulfuric acid scarification at 90 min, then immersed with tap water for 24h were the best result of germination percentage (42.5%). In Ceratonia siliqu seeds were treated with sulfuric acid at 60 min and soaking with tap water for 24h increased the seed germination percentage (65%).