Influences of pre-sowing seed treatments on germination of the cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens), a reputed medicinal plant in arid environments

Authors: Shaik, S.; Dewir, Y.H.; Singh, N.; Nicholas, A.

Source: Seed Science and Technology, Volume 36, Number 3, October 2008 , pp. 795-801(7)

Publisher: International Seed Testing Association

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Abstract:

Cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens L.) is a medicinally important perennial legume native to southern Africa. S. frutescens seeds exhibit dormancy like many other legumes. Experiments using physical, mechanical and chemical pre-sowing treatments were conducted to determine the germination response of this species. Among various treatments, soaking the intact seeds for 30 min in concentrated H₂SO₄ resulted in a high final germination percentage of 97.5% in day 14 of culture. However, seed dormancy was completely broken by mechanical scarification in which 100% germination was obtained in day 2 of culture. The results indicated that S. frutescens seeds possess exogenous dormancy due to the hard seed coat which is the main inhibitor of germination.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-10-01

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