A study was conducted under plastic house at Orman Botanical Garden,
Giza, Egypt during 2005 and 2006 seasons to overcome the deep dormancy
state of mature and depulped Butia capitata, (Mart) Mecc, seeds, which may
refer to impermeable sclera-endocarp, as well as producing high quality
seedlings.
The obtained results indicated that the treatments of soaking in tap water
and mechanical scarification slightly improved germination traits and seedling
quality, but didn't affect thickness, strength and chemical constituents of scleraendocarp.
On the other hand, acid scarification with concentrated H2SO4,
specially for 4 and 6 hrs., significantly improved germination%, germination
velocity, mean germination rate, germination rate index, vigour index and
quality of the produced seedlings (assessed as seedling height, root length, root
branchlets /seedling and fresh and dry weights of aerial parts and roots), with
the superiority of soaking for 6 hrs., treatment, which also reduced thickness,
strength and chemical components of endocarp to the minimum values
comparing with control and other treatments.
Therefore, soaking the depulped seeds of Butia capitata, (Mart.) Becc., in
concentrated sulfuric acid for 6 hrs., can be recommended to farmers as a
simple, cheap and very effective way for high and accelerated germination.