W. Mojeremane
Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
T. Kgati
Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
ABSTRACT
Laboratory trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of concentrated sulphuric acid (98%), mechanical scarification, hot water, cold water and dry heat on the germination capacity of five-years-old Colophospermum mopane seeds. The results showed that treating five-years-old C. mopane seeds with concentrated sulphuric acid (98%), mechanical scarification, cold water and dry heat had no effect on the germination capacity of mopane seeds. Simmering hot water significantly decreased germination capacity. The results showed that Colophospermum mopane seeds stored for five years still attain germination percentage above seventy. It is concluded that C. mopane in Botswana have no hard seed coat or impervious seed coat and physiological dormancy as an adaptation to arid and desert conditions.
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How to cite this article
W. Mojeremane and T. Kgati, 2005. Seed Treatments for Enhancing Germination of Colophospermum mopane Seeds:
A Multipurpose Tree in Botswana. Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 309-311.
DOI: 10.3923/jbs.2005.309.311
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jbs.2005.309.311
DOI: 10.3923/jbs.2005.309.311
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jbs.2005.309.311
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