HOT WATER IMMERSION AS SCARIFICATION METHOD OF FODDER LEGUMINOUS SEEDS

Abstract

It is necesary to study low cost technologies to incorporate leguminous fodder in the productive systems of low income farmers. Therefore, we evaluate the effect of hot water as an effective, easy to apply, and economic method to break the seed dormancy of five leguminous species: Cassia tomentosa L. f., Cassia xiphoidea Bertol., Dalea leporina (Aiton) Bullock., Medicago polymorpha L., and Melilotus indica (L.) All. Hot water at several temperatures, from 18 oC to boiling water (93 oC) was applied for three minutes as scarification method. The above mentioned species, except M. polymorpha responded positively to the scarification method increasing their germination percentage, in Cassia tomentosa from 13 to 54 %, in C. xiphoidea from 6 to 85 %, in D. leporina from 16 to 83 %, and in M. indica from 18 to 49 %. Medicago polymorpha showed a negative response to the treatment, since its germination was decreased from 49 to 27 %.