Effect of scarification with sulphuric acid on the germination of Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweick seeds

Abstract

There are still doubts about the need for scarification with concentrated sulfuric acid for the evaluation of the germinative capacity of Brachiaria humidicola seeds. Aiming to contribute to clarify this matter, the physiological quality of seven seed lots of this forage, differing in origins and stages of deterioration, was evaluated at the beginning of storage as to germination and accelerated aging (42°C/48 hours) and cold test (10°C/7 days) responses, with and without application of sulfuric acid for ten minutes, and as to germination, also with and without the acid, at every two-month intervals, during twelve months. Results showed that scarification with concentrated sulfuric acid was harmful to the germination of the seeds, and even more drastically in the adverse conditions of the vigor tests. The negative effect of the acid was progressively greater with the advance of seed deterioration during storage.