Laboratory experiments were performed to determine the effect of various scarification treatments at four temperature regimes on germination of licorice seeds . A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Germination counts were made every day for 2 weeks. At 50C, none of the chemically and mechanically scarified and non scarified seeds germinated. At 15, 25, and 350C, mechanical scarification increased seed germination to 94-98%. However, at these temperatures, velocity of germination of mechanically scarified seeds were lowest among all treatments. Chemical scarification also increased germination percentage significantly to 90-95% with 45 min soaking. At 15 and 250C, seed germination percentage and velocity of germination increased as the soaking time in sulfuric acid increased from 5 to 30, 45, or 60 min. However, at 350C, there was no difference in germination percentage between soaking times of 5 and 60 min. It appears that soaking for 45 min provides full germination at 25 and 350C.

Keywords: Licorice dormancy, Weed biology, Weed seed germination

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