Evaluation of different methods of seed dormancy breaking in Alyssum homalocarpum weed

To break the seed dormancy in Alyssum homalocarpum weed, an experiment was done in a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments included chilling (control, 7-day, 14-day, and 28-day at 4 °C temperature), ultrasound (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes), and priming with salicylic acid (0, 50, 100, and 200 ppm). The results showed that the highest germination percentage was in the chilling treatment of 14 days (62.5%). As the treatment increased the germination of Alyssum homalocarpum to 40% compared to the control. A significant effect was observed in all ultrasound treatments compared to the control. The highest germination percentage was obtained at 15 minutes and then at 20 and 10 minutes. The best germination percentage and germination rate in 15-minute ultrasound treatment were 61.5% and 38.2%, respectively. The use of salicylic acid had a more significant effect than the control treatment. The highest germination percentage was obtained in the 200 ppm (84.6%) treatment. The lowest germination percentage was obtained in the control treatment. In 200 ppm salicylic acid treatment the germination percentage increased compared to the control by 90.11%. Among the methods used in this study, salicylic acid was better than other methods, and the germination percentage of Alyssum homalocarpum weed increased.