Enhancing Seed Germination of Sand Blackberry

Abstract

Abstract Germination was greater for seeds scarified manually or with 15% NaOCl than for those scarified with concentrated H2SO4. Fifteen percent NaOCl for 18 hr scarified the seed endocarp and negated the need for stratification. Germination of 85% was attained after 8 weeks incubation in the light at alternating 15°/30°C. This percentage compared favourably with 82% germination resulting from manual scarification techniques. Electron microscopy revealed that endocarp degradation was much more extensive after 18 hr in 15% NaOCl than after 4 days in a 1% solution.