Effect of sulfuric acid, debracteols of seed, stratification and leaching treatments on seed dormancy breaking of

Germination of different Atriplex species seeds needs especial treatments to have acceptable germination. In this study were tested different treatments on two Atriplex species seeds. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of chemical scarification using 90% sulfuric acid for 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes; mechanical scarification using debracted and debracted with testa pierced of seeds; stratification for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 6?C; and leaching for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days on seed germination of Atriplex canescens and A. halimus. Effective methods for breaking dormancy of A. canescens seeds were scarification by 90% sulfuric acid for 30 min, and debracted of seed. In A. canescens maximum rate of germination was observed using 90% sulfuric acid for 30 minutes. In A. halimus, scarification with 90% sulfuric acid for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min were not effective for breaking seed dormancy because of damaged on embryos. In contrast, maximum seed germination and rate of germination were observed in mechanical scarification by debracted. In A. canescens and A. halimus leaching of the seeds for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days had the little effect on seed germination and rate of germination.