In this paper, we investigated if germination of after-ripened seeds of Opuntia rastrera Weber could be enhanced using chemical (acid) and mechanical scarification pretreatments. O. rastrera seeds need an after-ripening period to germinate (≈50%) after 1 year and no germination occurs in younger seeds. Germination of 3-year old seeds of O. rastrera was evaluated using sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for different lengths of time, and mechanical scarification treatments (dry heating at 80°C for 12 h and washing, immersion in water for 12 h and washing, and seed coat cutting with pliers). Similar to other wild Opuntia species, germination of O. rastrera seeds was not enhanced by any scarification pretreatment, demonstrating that an after-ripening period is the best - if not the unique - way to overcome physiological dormancy for this species. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
CITATION STYLE
Mandujano, M. C., Montaña, C., & Rojas-Aréchiga, M. (2005). Breaking seed dormancy in Opuntia rastrera from the Chihuahuan desert. Journal of Arid Environments, 62(1), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2004.10.009
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