Enhancing Balanites aegyptiaca seed germination in Egyptian deserts gene bank by breaking dormancy treatments

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Egyptian Deserts Gene Bank (EDGB), North Sinai Research Station, Desert Research Centre, Egypt. The present study investigated the responses of  Balanites aegyptiaca  seeds to some chemical and physical factors, such as mechanical scarification, chemical scarification, GA3 (gibberellic acid), dry heat treatment, potassium nitrate (KNO3) in solutions of water, sulphuric acid (H2SO4), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), tap and hot water. Results indicated that the highest germination percentage 73.50% was achieved with dry heat treatments at 60 oC for 15 minutes. Treated seeds with dry heat treatments at 60 oC for 15 minutes enhanced standard germination percentage to 70.62 % and germination rate to 1.3. GA3.  Hot water and mechanical scarification gave the best results in germination percentage, germination rate and standard germination. Some treatments  were found to decrease germination percentage, standard germination and germination rate.