Evaluación de la germinación de semillas de Vachellia macracantha usando métodos de escarificación

摘要

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the most effective scarification process for the germination of Vachellia macracantha seeds. V. macracantha is a native species from the Andean dry forest and has potential for agroforestry. For this study, two methods were tested, immersion in acids (Chemical methods), and shell removal through the process of filing, cutting, and boiling the seeds (Physical methods). A randomized complete block design with 3 replications was used, 19 different treatments took place and they included a witness. For the chemical methods, sulfuric, nitric, and phosphoric acid, were tested in different exposition times: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 minutes. Three variables were measured: germination percentage, quantity of leaves and the plant’s height. The physical method of filling and cutting the seed got the highest germination percentage with 46% of germination, against the control that has 6% of germination. For all other treatments there was no statistical difference between them. Any treatment got statistical difference for quantity of leaves and plant’s height.