Effects of different treatments on seed dormancy of Teucrium polium

Teucrium polium L., as a medicinal plant belongs to Laminaceae, has been recognized in traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes, inflammation, diarrhea and etc. Because of medicinal importance of T. polium, propagation of the species by seed was investigated and the best treatment for induction of its seed germination was determined. Intact seeds of the species were germinated in suitable conditions by just 2.2 percentages, whereas seed viability was 82%. Therefore, the majority of the seeds of the species seemed to be under the influence of some types of dormancy. Seed germination increased remarkably by using mechanical scarification, friction with sandpaper and 15 minutes acid sulfuric treatment compared to intact seeds by 68%, 11%, and 22.2%, respectively. The dormancy was not affected by cold treatment. The results indicated seed dormancy of the species is due to presence of hard seed coat. The best treatment for removing the seed dormancy on the species seems to be making small pores on seed coat.