Mechanisms of dormancy in cold-stored Juniperus procera (Hochst. Ex. Endl.) seeds
1995
Were, J.M. (Kenya Forestry Research Institute - KEFRI, Nairobi (Kenya))
A laboratory investigation was carried out to determine the operating mechanism of dormancy in cold-stored Juniperus procera seeds. Three seed presowing treatments were applied to break dormancy in various parts of the seeds which were subsequently tested for germination. Embryos of the seeds expressed full germination both with and without the treatment precluding the existence of any form of embryo dormancy. Whole seeds also exhibited a fair percentage of germination but embryos surrounded by megagametophyte tissues showed very poor germination, both with and without the treatment. The study concludes that the best pre-sowing treatment for J. procera is physical scarification by nicking of part of the seed coat. However, further trials could be carried out to develop a cheap and appropriate pre-sowing treatment for J. procera seed to facilitate large scale seedling production of this species.
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