Leachate Conductivity Research Articles

Salt Removal in a Reclaimed Tidal Land Soil with Gypsum, Compost, and Phosphate Amendment

High salinity and sodicity of soils play a negative role in producing crops in reclaimed tidal lands. To evaluate the effects of soil ameliorants on salt removal in a highly saline and sodic soil of reclaimed tidal land, we conducted a column experiment with treating gypsum, compost, and phosphate at 0-2 cm depth and measured the salt concentration of leachate and soil. Electrical conductivity of leachate was <TEX>$45-48dSm^{-1}$</TEX> at 1 pore volume (PV) of water and decreased to less than <TEX>$3dSm^{-1}$</TEX> at 3 PV of water. Gypsum significantly decreased SAR (sodium adsorption ratio) of leachate below 3 at 3 PV of water and soil ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) below 3% for the whole profile of soil column. Compost significantly decreased ESP of soil at 0-5 cm depth to 5% compared with the control (20%). However, compost affected little the composition of cations below a depth of 5 cm and in leachate compared with control treatment. It was concluded that gypsum was effective in ameliorating reclaimed tidal lands at and below a soil layer receiving gypsum while compost worked only at a soil layer where compost was treated.

Stabilization/solidification of heavy metals in kaolin/zeolite based geopolymers

The present work investigated the efficiency and mechanism of immobilization of Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Cr(III) metal solutions in kaolin/zeolite based geopolymers. Leaching of heavy metals from the geopolymeric matrix into different aggressive solutions was studied by measuring the amount of metal, pH and conductivity of leachates. The effect of heavy metal concentrations, pressing pressure that employed through preparing geopolymer, and aging time on the geopolymer resistance toward leaching was also studied. The mechanical strength, XRD, XRF and SEM of geopolymers containing heavy metals were investigated. The results indicated that heavy metals could be effectively immobilized in kaolin/zeolite based geopolymers with a release of safe metal ions like Na+ and K+. The immobilization of heavy metals in geopolymer may be due to participation of heavy metal cations in the balance of the negative charge of Al in the frameworks of unreacted zeolite, kaolin and geopolymer phases. Immobilization using kaolin-based geopolymers has lower cost than metakaolin-based geopolymers. The kaoline-based geopolymerization process is of much lower energy cost than metakaolin-based one.

Impact of Varying Ca/Mg Waters on Ionic Balance, Dispersion, and Clay Flocculation of Salt-Affected Soils

Inceptisols and Vertisols are two dominant soil orders that support major agricultural production in India. These soils often exist in semi-arid and arid regions. Low precipitation and high evaporation demand leads to salt accumulation in these areas. The problem of salt accumulation is further compounded by the presence of saline/alkaline groundwaters. We evaluated the effect of modified Ca/Mg waters on ionic composition, dispersion, and clay flocculation of sodic Inceptisols, saline-sodic Inceptisols, and normal Vertisols from different parts of India. A completely randomized factorial design with three replications of individual soils were sequentially leached with five pore volumes of deionized, saline water of 60 and 120 me L−1 total electrolyte concentration (TEC) at a fixed SAR of 5.0 mmol1/2 L−1/2 and Ca:Mg ratio of 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2. Application of saline waters decreased pH and increased EC of the soil leachates after leaching five pore volumes of three Ca/Mg ratios of 60 and 120 me L−1 solutions in sodic Inceptisols and normal Vertisols. In saline-sodic Inceptisols, application of saline waters decreased both pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil leachates. Preferential Ca2+ holding in soil was only noticed in sodic Inceptisols when leaching process was performed with independent saline waters, but Mg2+ has a tendency to hold in soil upon application of independent saline waters for all soils except sodic Inceptisols. Periodic application of deionized water could increase soil dispersion and decreased flocculation of clay particles. Mg2+ ion had less flocculating vis-à-vis high-dispersion effect on soil clays than the Ca2+ ion.

Rising atmospheric CO2: Potential impacts on chickpea seed quality

Experiments on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were performed in open-top chambers during 2010–11 and 2011–12 to assess effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on the quality of seeds. Although no physical modification was observed, an increase in seed water uptake was recorded in plants grown under enriched atmospheric CO2 condition. Germination of seeds reduced by 45–47%, while seed leachate conductivity increased by 10–17%. Seedling vigor decreased, although root and shoot lengths and seedling biomass showed negligible changes. Similarly, atmospheric CO2 enrichment reduced field emergence of seedlings with no change in root characteristics of the emerged seedlings. A decrease in protease activity supports the reduced seed viability, although no change in grain phosphatase and α-amylase activities were recorded. Increase in carbon content in germinating seed-cotyledon along with decrease in N in cotyledon resulted in large increase in C:N ratio for the plants grown under enriched CO2 condition. The starch content increased with no change in soluble sugar in germinating seed-cotyledons. This indicates more carbonaceous seeds from plants grown under enriched CO2 environment. Results suggest that rising atmospheric CO2 might have adverse impact on viability and germination of chickpea seeds, and cause nutritional imbalance through increase in C with dilution of N contents in germinating seed-cotyledons.

Assessment of soybean (Glycine max) vigour by the seed leachate conductivity assay

Conductivity of seed leachates is inversely correlated with germination and growth of soybean, &lt;i&gt;Glycine max&lt;/i&gt; (L.) Merr., at low temperatures. It is concluded that the seed leachate conductivity assay can be employed to assess soybean seed vigour. Cold tolerance of soybean can markedly be enhanced by increasing the hydration level of the seeds to at least 20% by means of exposure of the seeds to HRH (water saturated atmosphere) for 4 days. It is suggested that increased vigour following HRH exposure is due to re-establishment of the cell membrane integrity in the course of exposure.

Performance assessment of tire chips–gravel mixes as leachate drainage layer material

Relative drainage performance of gravel and tire chips used alone and in different combinations were evaluated through the results of drainage plate settlement and leachate conductivity testing under incremental overburden pressure levels. Experiments were performed to assess the appropriate tire chips size (in particular aspect ratio) for their large-scale uses as leachate drainage layer material. Potential of clogging for the optimized size tire chips and their mixes with gravel of transmitting relatively “high-strength” leachate were also examined. Results showed that “small” size tire chips of aspect ratio 1 (average length 22–25 mm) are suitable for relatively lower drainage plate settlement and higher leachate conductivity values. Additionally, combinations with ds/dg = 0·25 and 0·50 (by thickness) when scrap tire chips and gravel were used as separate layers gave “lesser clogging and free drainage” up to higher vertical overburden pressure levels. Alternatively, 25% of tire chips (by weight) mixed randomly with gravel also gave lesser clogging and free drainage for relatively longer period. These findings are very useful for the proper design, performance and service life of tire chips–gravel made drainage layers.

Exogenous Hormones Alleviated Salinity and Temperature Stresses on Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Sweet Sorghum

Germination and vigorous growth are critical for seedling establishment, especially under salinity and high temperature. A laboratory experiment was done to determine the effects of salinity (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM NaCl) and temperature (25, 35, and 39°C) on germination and early seedling growth of two genotypes (Yajin 13 and Yajin 71) of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Seeds were soaked in solutions with one of three hormones [288.7 μM gibberellic acid (GA3), 232.3μM kinetin, or their combination] and germinated under controlled conditions. Water imbibition, germination, radicle and shoot length, and the electrical conductivity of leachate were measured. Seed water imbibition increased with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing salinity level. Yajin 13 had 17.9% higher germination percentage with 16.3% higher germination velocity index than Yajin 71. Salinity and temperature stresses clearly affected germination and decreased subsequent shoot and root growth. The application of GA3, kinetin, or their combination alleviated the negative effects of salinity and temperature stresses on all the measurements. Among the tested hormones, GA3 was better in alleviating salinity and temperature stress in both genotypes in germination and other parameters except water uptake. It was concluded that seeds treated with suitable exogenous hormones may serve as a possible way to improve water imbibition and to alleviate the negative effects produced by salinity and high temperature on germination and early seedling growth of sweet sorghum.

Indoor and Outdoor Biomonitoring Using Lichens at Urban and Rural Primary Schools

Monitoring particulate matter (PM) and its chemical constituents in classrooms is a subject of special concern within the scientific community in order to control and minimize child exposure. Regulatory sampling methods have presented several limitations in their application to larger number of classrooms due to operational and financial constraints. Consequently, passive sampling methodologies using filters were developed for indoor sampling. However, such methodologies could not provide parallel information for outdoors, which is important to identify pollution sources and assess outdoor contribution to the indoors. Therefore, biomonitoring with transplanted lichens, a technique usually applied for outdoor studies, was used both indoor and outdoor of classrooms. Three main objectives were proposed, to (i) characterize simultaneously indoor and outdoor of classrooms regarding inorganic air pollutants, (ii) investigate spatial patterns of lichen conductivity, and (iii) assess pollution sources that contribute to a poor indoor air quality in schools. Lichens Flavoparmelia caperata were transplanted to indoor and outdoor of classrooms for 59 d. After exposure, electric conductivity of lichens leachate was measured to evaluate lichen vitality and cell damage. Outdoors lichen conductivity was higher near the main highways, and indoors there was great variability in levels, which indicates different emissions sources and different ventilation patterns. Chemical content of lichens was assessed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), and As, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Th, Yb, and Zn were determined. Element accumulation, crustal enrichment factors, and spatial variability of elements were analyzed and contaminants from anthropogenic sources, such as traffic (As, Sb, and Zn) and indoor chalk (Ca) found. Classrooms with potential indoor air quality problems were identified by presenting higher accumulations of inorganic pollutants in exposed biomonitors.

In-situ study of beneficial utilization of coal fly ash in reactive mine tailings

Oxidation of reactive mine tailings and subsequent generation of acid mine drainage (AMD) have been long recognized as the largest environmental concern for the mining industry. Laboratory studies on utilization of coal fly ash in management of reactive mine tailings have shown reducing water and oxygen infiltration into tailings matrix, thus preventing oxidation of sulphide minerals and acid generation. However, few data from field studies to evaluate the performance of co-placement of mine tailings and fly ash (CMF hereafter) are reported in the open literature. This paper documents the construction and instrumentation of three CMF systems on the Musselwhite mine located in Ontario, Canada and presents results of 3-year real time monitoring. The field data indicates that the CMFs reduced the ingress of water due to cementation generated by hydration of fly ash. It was also found that the electrical conductivity of leachate from CMFs decreased in the early stage of co-placement, compared to the control. With further study, the principle and approach demonstrated in this paper can be adopted as a sustainable technology in the mine tailings management.

Kinetics of solute leachate from imbibing Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Brazilwood) seeds

The electrical conductivity of leachates from imbibing seeds has been used as a vigor test for several species. The adaptation of this methodology to different species requires knowledge on the leaching kinetics of electrolytes. For Brazilwood seeds, the classic method was not satisfactory and rapid tests are essential because they have low storage capacity at room temperature. Leaching kinetics during seed imbibition is a function of physiological quality, presence or absence of seed coat, imbibing temperature and the initial moisture content of seed. In this study, the electrolyte leaching rate of six different categories of seeds, from two regions, was evaluated in seeds with and without seed coat and incubated with different moisture contents and at different temperatures. The results showed that the electrolyte leaching rate in Brazilwood seeds is independent of the physiological quality, the presence or absence of seed coat and imbibition temperature, but these factors changed the total amount of electrolytes leached. The leaching rate increased in the first few minutes of imbibition, suggesting that the adjustment of the methodology must consider the reduction in imbibition time, reduction in temperature, use of a controlled and slower pre-imbibition, and replacement of the imbibition solution after the first few minutes.

Modulation of senescence and postharvest performance in Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Emperor in response to Cycloheximide pulse treatment

A study was made to investigate chemical modulations of senescence with varying concentrations of Cycloheximide on cut daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. cv. Emperor). Pulse treatment of scapes with 0.01 and 0.05 mM concentrations of Cycloheximide (CHI) delayed tepal wilting, enhanced longevity, maintained fresh and dry mass of flowers and lowered electrical conductivity of leachates. The content of sugars and proteins decreased, whereas that of α–amino acids and total phenolics increased in the tepal tissue. Senescence delay by variable CHI concentrations points to the differential expression of some specific proteins (enzymes) responsible for execution of cell death programme in tepal tissues. Cycloheximide treatment at higher concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mM, concentrations blocked flower opening and accelerated senescence in this flower system. Pulse treatment of flowers with 0.01 and 0.05 mM CHI for 1 h delayed senescence and improved postharvest performance in this flower system.

Dependence of the legume seeds vigour on their maturity and method of harvest

Several methods were used to study 'the vigour and viability of legume seeds &lt;em&gt;(Pisum sativum &lt;/em&gt;L. cv. Hamil, &lt;em&gt;Piston arvense &lt;/em&gt;L. cv. Mazurska and &lt;em&gt;Lupinus luteus &lt;/em&gt;L. cv. Tomik) harvested at three main stages of seed repening (green, wax and full). The seeds were tested immediately after harvest (series A) and after two weeks of storage in pods (series B). It was found that: 1) the vigour of ripening legume seeds increases with maturation; 2) post-harvest storage in pods increases the degree of ripeness and. consequently. vigour; 3) seeds attain full vigour later than full viability; 4) seed leachate conductivity method gives erroneous results in assessing the vigour of immature seeds: 5) full vigour of maturing seeds of various degrees of ripeness can be determined by simultaneous application of both biological (eg. seedling growth analysis, VI) and biochemical (e.g. total dehydrogenase activity) methods.

Reduced mitochondrial and ascorbate–glutathione activity after artificial ageing in soybean seed

The effect of artificial ageing on the relationship between mitochondrial activities and the antioxidant system was studied in soybean seeds (Glycine max L. cv. Zhongdou No. 27). Ageing seeds for 18d and 41d at 40°C reduced germination from 99% to 52% and 0%, respectively. In comparison to the control, malondialdehyde content and leachate conductivity in aged seeds increased and were associated with membrane damage. Transmission electron microscopy and Percoll density gradient centrifugation showed that aged seeds mainly contained poorly developed mitochondria in which respiration and marker enzymes activities were significantly reduced. Heavy mitochondria isolated from the interface of the 21% and 40% Percoll were analyzed. Mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes activities including superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase were significantly reduced in aged seeds. A decrease in total ascorbic acid (ASC) and glutathione (GSH) content as well as the reduced/oxidized ratio of ASC and GSH in mitochondria with prolonged ageing showed that artificial ageing reduced ASC–GSH cycle activity. These results suggested an elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the aged seeds, which was confirmed by measurements of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide levels. We conclude that mitochondrial dysfunction in artificially aged seeds is due to retarded mitochondrial and ASC-GSH cycle activity and elevated ROS accumulation.

Influence of Thermally Polluted Water on the Growth of Helophytes in the Vicinity of a Colliery Waste Tip

The impact of thermal pollution of leachate from a post-coal mine heap on three macrophyte species: Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, and Scirpus sylvaticus was examined over the entire vegetation season. Hydrological measurements showed that the temperature of the leachate was ca 50 °C at the site of leachate inflow and decreased to ca 15 °C at the end of discharge canal. The annual temperature and conductivity of leachate from the two control sites, a polluted water stream in the vicinity of the waste tip and an unpolluted stream, differ significantly. However, only the temperature explained the differences in plant traits. In April, and in some cases in May, plants in the leachate were significantly higher than in those on the control sites in terms of biomass and plant height. Thermal pollution caused a phenological shift in all species and also caused Scirpus plants to die out more quickly. Temperature also affected the proportion flowering vs. vegetative individuals, e.g., none of Scirpus plants started to bloom.

An effective protocol for improving vaselife and postharvest performance of cut Narcissus tazetta flowers

A study was made to investigate differential responses of petal senescence and postharvest performance at varying concentrations of Cycloheximide (CHI) in cut spikes of Narcissus tazetta cv. Kashmir Local. Cycloheximide at 0.01 and 0.05mM concentrations delayed senescence. Above 0.05mM concentrations CHI prevents flower opening and promotes senescence. Senescence delay by CHI points to the synthesis of some specific proteins (enzymes) responsible for execution of cell death programme in flower petals. Cycloheximide at lower concentrations (0.01 and 0.05mM) enhanced longevity, maintained a sustained rate of flower blooms, delayed senescence and optimized postharvest performance. Pulse treatment of spikes with CHI concentrations at 0.01 and 0.05mM concentrations maintained high fresh and dry mass of flowers and lowered electrical conductivity of leachates. The content of sugars and proteins decreased, whereas that of α-amino acids and total phenolics increased in the petal tissues with CHI treatment; besides improving postharvest performance. Pretreatment of flowers with 0.01 or 0.05mM CHI concentrations for 1h enhanced vase life and improved postharvest performance in this flower system.

Effect of cutting shapes and thicknesses on the quality of minimally processed pineapple (Ananas comosus) cv. 'Queen Victoria'

Cutting shape and size are physical factors that influence the keeping quality of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Since these factors have not been studied as determinants of the keeping quality of minimally processed pineapples (MPP) cv. ‘Queen Victoria’, this study was conducted. A 2 x 2 factorial treatment structure laid on a randomized block design (RBD) was used. The treatments, which were blocked by days, were combinations of two cutting shapes (slices and chunks) and two thicknesses (5 mm and 10 mm). Pineapples of 25 - 50% ripeness were minimally processed to give rise to the treatments, which were then vacuum-packed at 47.5 kPa in laminated Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) vacuum bags and stored at 4 ± 10 C for 12 days. Quality changes were evaluated at three-day intervals over a storage period of 12 days. Translucency score was evaluated by comparison method against standard colour charts. Electrical conductivity of leachate (ECL), firmness and pH were measured instrumentally. Ascorbic acid (AA) content was determined by titration with dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) dye. Yeasts and moulds counts (YMC) were also enumerated using the classical standard method. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and sum of squares due to treatment were split into main effect cutting shape, main effect thickness and interaction effect. All the keeping quality attributes of the MPP were significantly affected by storage time (p&lt;0.001). Cutting shape also significantly affected translucency score (p&lt;0.01), firmness (p&lt;0.01) and YMC (p&lt;0.01). Slices were firmer and had the lowest translucency score and minimized fungal growth as opposed to chunks. No significant interaction effect (p&gt;0.05) was observed between cutting shapes and thicknesses on translucency score, firmness and YMC of the MPP. However, a significant interaction effect was noted between these two variables on ECL (p&lt;0.05) and AA content (p&lt;0.001). A thickness of 10 mm exhibited lower translucency score, higher ECL, reduced firmness and lower AA losses. pH was not significantly affected (p&gt;0.05) by cutting shapes and thicknesses. Ten-mm slices maintained all the above-stated quality parameters, except ECL and pH, when stored at 4 ± 10 C for 12 days.

Application of Deuterium and Oxygen-18 to Trace Leachate Movement in Bantar Gebang Sanitary Landfill

Bantar Gebang landfill was constructed in 1986 with total area of 108 ha and approximately 6000 ton/day solid waste is disposed to this landfill. Mostly, the people living surrounding landfill get afraid of impact of the hazardous chemicals produced by waste disposal to their health. The purpose of this investigation was to study the migration of leachate to Cibitung River water and shallow groundwaters near to the river. It is possible to be done because chemical contents and isotopic characteristics of municipal landfill leachate are unique, relative to aqueous media in the most natural environments. Laser absorption method developed by the LGR (Los Gatos Research) was used to measure absolute abundances of 2 HHO, HH 18 O and HHO in a number of water samples. In-situ measurements were also conducted as an additional parameter besides their isotopes. The δ 2 H of the H 2 O in landfill leachate was significantly enriched, with values of - 22.6 ‰ to + 4.3 ‰. This deuterium enrichment was undoubtedly due to the extensive production of microbial methane within the limited reservoir of the landfill. However, the enriched deuterium value in leachate was not detected in the river which still had depleted values. It was probably caused by the amount of natural water in the river was comparatively large, with respect to limited leachate discarded to the river. The electrical conductivity of the leachate was higher (3200 to 7600 μS) and the decreasing values were still monitored in the river to approximately 12 km after streaming the landfills. The effect of the high electrical conductivity and enriched deuterium of leachate was not clearly indicated in the groundwater samples which still represented the local precipitation recharge, except a monitoring well located in Bantar Gebang landfill area which has an indication of leachate contamination. Received: 20 November 2010; Revised: 15 June 2011; Accepted: 25 July 2011

Physiological and biochemical changes associated with flower development and senescence in Consolida ajacis Nieuwl cv. Violet blue

Flower development of Consolida ajacis cv. Violet blue growing in the Kashmir University Botanic Garden (KUBG) was divided into six stages (I–VI) from the tight bud stage to the senescent stage. The average life span of an individual flower after it is fully open is about 4 days. Membrane permeability of sepal tissues estimated as electrical conductivity of leachates increased during senescence. The content of sugars and soluble proteins in the sepal tissues increased during flower opening and declined thereafter during senescence. The α-amino acid content registered an increase as the flowers opened and senesced. The protease activity increased as the flower progressed toward senescence. Flower opening was closely correlated to the sugar status of sepals, while the increase in the protease activity was commensurate with the decrease in the tissue content of soluble protein levels. The results suggested that the reduction in sugar status and the elevation in protease activity are among the important changes associated with the sepal senescence of Consolida ajacis flowers. SDS-PAGE of protein extracts from sepal tissues suggested a general decrease in the expression of some high molecular weight proteins and an increase in low molecular weight proteins during the flower development and senescence. At this stage, it is not known whether these polypeptides play an important role in the senescence of C. ajacis flowers. Understanding the nature of these proteins can provide new insights into the pathways to execute the senescence and the post-transcriptional regulation of senescence in this flower system.

Physiological and biochemical changes associated with flower development and senescence in so far unexplored Helleborus orientalis Lam. cv. Olympicus.

The so far unexplored H. Orientalis cv. Olympicus exhibits a unique pattern of flower senescence, involving re-greening of creamy white petaloid sepals at the later stages. The greenish sepals become photosynthetically competent immediately after pollination and persist until the seeds are set. After the seed set, the entire (green) flower abscises from the plant. Flower development of Helleborus orientalis cv. Olympicus growing in the open was divided into six stages (I-VI) from tight bud stage to the senescent stage. The average life span of an individual flower after it is fully open is about 6days. Membrane permeability of sepal tissues estimated as electrical conductivity of leachates increased during senescence. The content of sugars and soluble proteins in the sepal tissues increased during flower opening and declined thereafter during senescence. The protease activity increased as the flower progressed towards senescence. From the present study, it becomes evident that decline in the sugar status and elevation in specific protease activity leading to degradation of proteins are the important factors regulating development and senescence in H. orientalis flowers. Although the tissue content of soluble proteins registered an overall quantitative decrease but SDS-PAGE of protein extract from sepal tissues suggested a decrease in the expression of high molecular weight proteins and an increase in low molecular weight proteins during flower development and senescence. At this stage it is not known whether the polypeptides that increased during senescence play an important role in the senescence of Helleborus orientalis flowers. The increase in these polypeptides during flower senescence is of particular interest because they may be linked to flower longevity. Understanding the nature of these proteins can provide new insights into the pathways that execute senescence and the post-transcriptional regulation of senescence in this flower system.

Germination and Seedling Growth of Desmanthus illinoensis and Desmodium canadense in Response to Mechanical Scarification

Illinois bundleflower [Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex B.L. Rob. &amp; Fernald] and showy ticktrefoil [Desmodium canadense (L.) DC.] are legumes native to North America used during meadow restoration efforts. However, insufficient or slow germination or reduced emergence may result attributable to seedcoat-mediated reductions in permeability to water. The objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of a single-speed electric scarifier lined with 40-grit sandpaper for increasing germination and seedling growth of two native legumes. Seeds of Illinois bundleflower and showy ticktrefoil were mechanically scarified for 3, 6, or 12 s before they were subjected to germination and vigor testing. After scarification, final germination percentage (FGP), germination rate, and uniformity at multiple temperatures (15, 20, and/or 20 to 30 °C) were improved for Illinois bundleflower. However, FGP decreased for showy ticktrefoil, whereas germination rate and uniformity increased. For both species, there was a decline in FGP with longer scarification durations. Illinois bundleflower seed subjected to scarification and accelerated aging (AA) had higher FGP than non-scarified seed subjected to AA (59% and 6%, respectively), whereas both scarified and non-scarified seed of showy ticktrefoil subjected to AA had low FGP (11% and 18%, respectively). Mechanical scarification increased electrical conductivity (EC) of leachates for both species, but scarified showy ticktrefoil seed subjected to AA resulted in the highest EC compared with all other treatments, indicating a reduction of vigor. Evaluation of a seedling grow-out test 3 weeks after sowing confirmed that emergence was enhanced after 3 s of mechanical scarification of Illinois bundleflower seed but that scarification of showy ticktrefoil seed decreased emergence and increased the number of abnormal seedlings. Mechanical scarification resulted in peripheral damage and seed tissue obliteration of both species as indicated by viewing with a stereomicroscope. We conclude that scarifier limitations caused excessive physical damage of showy ticktrefoil. For Illinois bundleflower, however, mechanical scarification using an electric scarifier increased emergence from 18% (non-scarified seed) to 77% after 3 s of scarification and FGP from 32% (non-scarified seed) to 87% after 3 s of scarification. Compared with responses from non-scarified Illinois bundleflower seeds, scarification treatment also resulted in 24% faster germination and 37% more uniformity.