Tests with seeds of desi [normal-seeded] and kabuli [bold-seeded] chickpea types, separated from the produce of the population of kabuli chickpea cv. Lebanese Local grown in Lebanon, showed that although laboratory germination of seeds of both types was similar, the field germination and germination in the accelerated aging test were markedly higher in the desi type than in kabuli type. The higher seed vigour and higher field germination of desi chickpea under adverse soil physical conditions at germination is 1 of the causes of its survival in the population of kabuli chickpea.

Three-month ‘old’ and ‘fresh’ seeds of Talinum triangulare were subjected to various treatments to induce early and rapid germination. Scarification and activated carbon were the most effective treatments in improving total germination in fresh seeds, while the 3 and 5 per cent thiourea treatments were most effective in improving total germination in old seeds. Activated carbon, scarification and 5 per cent thiourea treatments enhanced early germination in both old and fresh seeds. Cumulative percentage germination was very high in fresh seeds after scarification or after treatment with activated carbon and 5 per cent thiourea, and lowest in seeds treated with 3 per cent thiourea and hot water. In old seeds, highest cumulative percentage germination was obtained with 3 and 5 per cent thiourea treatments and scarification. Generally, higher germination was obtained with fresh seeds than with old seeds. Partial seed-coat removal and treatment with 5 per cent thiouria resulted in a higher rate of and cumulative percentage germination compared with seeds with the coat partially removed but not treated with thiourea. Constantly high temperature (34 °C) increased both rate and total germination compared with seeds planted at room temperature (20–23 °C). Treatments that did not induce germination were 1 per cent thiourea, H2SO4, cold water soaking at room temperature, 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide and soil planting. These treatments effected less than 3 per cent germination.