PRETREATMENT FOR REMOVING SEED COAT IMPERMEABILITY IN CORCHORUS SPECIES

Abstract

The effect of different pre-treatments to reduce the seed coat imposed dormancy
in the two species of Corchorus viz. olitorius and capsularis were studied. Results
Indicated that the two species exhibited significant differences In their response
to various treatments. For olitorius: the best overall response was obtained when
seeds were subjected to hot water treatment, the optimum durations being 6SoC
for 30 minutes (80%) and 800C for 3 minutes (79%). On the other hand,
concentrated acid treatment and mechanical scarification using fine sand paper
provided the most rapid and effective methods for breaking seed coat imposed
dormancy (96% germination as against 13%) in capsularis seeds. Besides, the
effects of sub-zero storage at -20oC for one year", and application of dry heat
at 6SoC for 24 hrs were also studied and the results discussed.