Musonda, Vivian, Gardiner, Chris, and Walker, Glen (2025) The effect of scarification methods on the germination of Desmanthus seeds. In: [Presented at TropAg 2025]. 67. p. 220. From: TropAg 2025: Addressing Global Challenges, 11-13 November 2026, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

An evaluation of scarification methods on the germination of seeds of Desmanthus bicornutus cv JCU 4, D. leptophyllus cv JCU 7, D. pernambucanus cv JCU 9, and D. virgatus cv JCU 2 was undertaken at James Cook University. The seeds were subjected to three treatments and three replications.

• Treatment 1. Seeds heated in an oven at 80o C for two hours, • Treatment 2. Seeds Hot water scarified 75-85o C for 2 mins, • Treatment 3. Control (no scarification).

Fifty seeds from each treatment were placed in 9cm petri dishes with 2 Whatman No.1, filter papers, 5ml of water were added to each petri dish each day or as required to keep seeds moist. The petri dishes were placed in a controlled environment temperature room at 26o C with 12 hours light and dark. Germinated seeds were counted and removed daily; the germination percentage was calculated at the end of 28 days. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in germination percentage among the Desmanthus cultivars.

• In the oven treatment, the germination percentage was D.pernambucanus cv JCU 9 94%, D. virgatus cv JCU 2 85%, D. leptophyllus cv JCU 7 81%, D. bicornutus cv JCU 4 0.67%. • In the hot water treatment D. leptophyllus cv JCU 7 87%, D. virgatus cv JCU 2 83%, D. pernambucanus cv JCU 9 70%, D. bicornutus cv JCU 4 67%. • In the control treatment the germination percentage was D. virgatus cv JCU 2 1.3%, D. bicornutus cv JCU 4 11%, D. leptophyllus cv JCU 7 13%, and D. pernambucanus cv JCU 9 15.3%. Both the oven and the hot water scarification treatments (with the exception of the oven treatment of D.bicornutus cv JCU 4) resulted in excellent germination and can be recommended methods to enhance significantly the germination of these hard seeded Desmanthus legume cultivars.

Item ID:	85935
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Date Deposited:	24 Feb 2026 00:17
FoR Codes:	30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3004 Crop and pasture production > 300403 Agronomy @ 100%
SEO Codes:	10 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 1005 Pasture, browse and fodder crops > 100505 Sown pastures (excl. lucerne) @ 100%
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