Dormancy breaking of Albizia pedicellaris (DC.) L. Rico seeds

ABSTRACT The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of seeds dormancy breakage methods for Albizia pedicellaris in laboratory. Seeds were treated with ten pre-sowing treatments: chemical scarification using sulfuric acid for 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes, physical scarification followed or not by immersion in water for 6, 12 and 24 hours, thermal shock and control. Completely randomized design was used with four replications of 25 seed per experimental unit. The followings variables were evaluated: germination percentage, speed germination index, normal seedlings number, abnormal seedling number, and mortality. The results indicate that the most efficient method to overcome dormancy was mechanical scarification followed or not by immersion for 6 or 12 hours or immersion in sulfuric acid for 30 minutes.