Seed treatments for improved germination of caper (Capparis spinosa)

Abstract

[EN] This study analyses the effects of seven treatments for removing hardseededness and four for breaking physiological dormancy in caper seeds. Seeds were germinated in a growth chamber and the maximum germination percentage, the time to reach 50% of final germination and the mean relative cumulative rate were calculated. The logistic function was suitable for analysing caper seed germination. Acid scarification followed by the addition of a GA(3) solution to the germination substrate was the best, efficient and cost effective method for ensuring satisfactory seed germination. Acid scarification can be substituted by mechanical scarification with ultrasound. hot water scarification or soaking, but these procedures require longer germination periods to reach satisfactory germination levels. The soaking method proved useful enough to remove hardseededness and it is also the most simple among the assayed treatments.