Effectiveness of Various Dormancy-Breaking Methods on Germination of Abrus precatorius

This study investigates the impact of various pre-germination treatments on the seed germination and vigor of Abrus precatorius. Seven distinct treatments were applied to seeds: mechanical scarification, water soaking, gibberellic acid (GA3) immersion, hot water treatment, ascorbic acid followed by warm water, and a combined GA3 post-warm water treatment. The seeds were subsequently germinated in a controlled environment, and several parameters including germination percentage, mean germination time, and vigor index were assessed.Results revealed that GA3 post-warm water treatment yielded the highest germination rate (70%) and vigor index (329), significantly outperforming other treatments (p < 0.01). This combination treatment also showed superior seedling growth compared to the control and other methods, including mechanical scarification and GA3 treatment alone. The ascorbic acid and warm water treatment also demonstrated a notable improvement, indicating its effectiveness.Statistical analysis confirmed that chemical treatments, particularly GA3 and combined treatments, were significantly more effective than physical treatments alone. This suggests that optimizing seed germination protocols through a combination of physical and chemical treatments can enhance both germination rates and seedling vigor of Abrus precatorius. These findings have implications for agricultural practices and ecological restoration efforts, highlighting the potential for improved seed propagation strategies.