Investigating the Effect of Sulfuric Acid on Seed Dormancy Breakage of Alhagicamelirum F.

Camel thorn (Alhagi camelorum F.) is one of the plant species which is compatible with arid and semi-arid areas. It is also very important because of its use as forage, its role in soil protection, and its medicinal value. The germination rate of this plant is low in the nature. This study aims at analyzing the concentration and different times of sulfuric acid on breaking the dormancy and germination of Camel thorn. The seeds of this plant were collected from its original habitat in Aq-Qala, Golestan province. Camel thorn germination was analyzed in two concentrations (75% and 98%) and different times in each concentration, with five replications. The results indicated that the effect of concentration and different time treatments with sulfuric acid on seed germination of this plant were significant. The highest germination percentage (76.6%) belonged to the seeds in 98% sulfuric acid treatment within the 10-minute period. By increasing the time of seed treatment with 75% sulfuric acid up to 15 minutes, seed germination and other traits including the length of radicle, plumule, and seedling; germination speed; and seed vigor increased. By increasing the time of 75% sulfuric acid treatment all traits decreased. In all the measured parameters, the minimum amount belonged to the control treatment.