Effects of Scarification and Temperature on Germination of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) Seeds

Ghadiri, H.; Bagherani Torshiz, N.

Effects of Scarification and Temperature on Germination of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) Seeds

Authors

H. Ghadiri ¹

N. Bagherani Torshiz ²

¹ Department of Crop Production and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.

² Agricultural Research Center, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Abstract

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