The Effect of Scarification Treatments on Seed Germination of Persian honey locust

Persian honey locust(Gleditsia caspica Desf.) is an endemic tree in the northern forests of Iran and southeastern Azerbaijan, which has low seed germination because of water impermeability of seed. In this research, effects of hot water at 70 °C and 100 °C (5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes), dry heat at 60 °C, 80 °C and 100°C (15, 30 and 60 minutes) and sulphuric acid treatment at two concentrations of 70% and 98% (at immersions of 5, 20, 40 and 60 minutes) were studied on the characteristics of seed germination of this species. Experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design in three replicates. No germination was observed in the seeds treated with hot water (100 °C), dry heat and control, while the seeds treated with semi-hot water (70 °C), sulphuric acids of 70% (60 minutes) and 98% (20 and 40 minutes) obtained 20, 84 and 100 percent of germination, respectively. In general, hot water, warm water and dry heat are not good treatments for seed germination of Persian honey locust seed. It suggests that for seed dormancy breaking as well as seedling production of Persian honey locust,sulfuric acid 98% (with immersion of 20 or 40 m.) to be used.