Acid Scarification

Scarification with Acid: Small batches of seeds are exposed to sulphuric acid at a concentration of 93 percent Technical Grade. The seeds are rinsed and the acid is neutralised with baking soda after a specific period of time (ranging from a minute to an hour and a half). After this treatment, glossy seed coatings would seem drab. Seeds are dipped in powerful sulfuric acid, organic solvents such as acetone or alcohol, or even boiling water during chemical scarification. They may be shaken with abrasive material such as sand or scratched with a knife during mechanical scarification.

Acid Scarification

Scarification is the process of weakening, opening, or otherwise changing a seed’s covering to promote germination. Scarification can be done in a variety of ways, including manually, thermally, and chemically. Many plant species’ seeds are impermeable to water and gases, which prevents or delays germination. Scarification is a technique for making the testa (seed coat) more permeable to water and gases. Sulphuric acid is used for acid scarification.

Some woody plant seeds have rigid, impenetrable seed coverings that keep water out. Because water imbibition is such a key first step in seed germination, it’s crucial to soften or break down the seed coverings so that water can get in.

Seed Scarification

Hard seed coatings can be broken down in a variety of ways:

• Soak the seed in boiling water for up to 24 hours

• Using mechanical instruments like files or abrasive tools to physically score the seed to allow water through

• Using intense acids to degrade the seed covering chemically (sulfuric) 

Nature’s technique, which takes use of microbiological, physical, and chemical processes over time, is an effective alternative to artificial seed pre-treatment approaches; that is, sow the seeds and wait. This is a common strategy used by commercial nurseries. Embryo dormant woody species are sown in the fall, whereas double dormant woody species are sown in the early summer; both germinate the following spring. We propose this strategy because it is both reliable and non-technical.

Acid Scarification Procedure

1. Because acids are exceedingly corrosive, considerable caution must be exercised when utilising this approach. Protect your eyes and body with goggles and protective clothes. If the acid gets into touch with your skin, wash it off right away. Important: Only use this procedure if you’ve worked with acids before and are confident in your abilities.
2. Pour strong sulfuric acid over the seeds in a big glass container until they are completely covered. Seeds should be stirred repeatedly with a glass rod for the amount of time recommended by the species.
3. During the soaking process, extract some seeds, rinse them with water, and check for seed thickness and seed coat thickness by cutting the seed.
4. After the stipulated time has passed, strain the acid and seeds through a screen and rinse for 10 minutes with cold water to eliminate the acid.
5. Distribute seeds on absorbent paper to dry at room temperature, separating them so they don’t clump.
6. Based on the dormancy involved, seeds are now prepared to sow or can be placed in cold-moist stratification.

Acid Scarification Plants

Seeds with a hard, nearly impenetrable seed coat (testa) require assistance in penetrating the seed coat in order to absorb (imbibe) water and germinate. These seeds would go through a natural freezing and thawing process, which would naturally rupture the seed coat. Here are several simple techniques to imitate nature’s process (with most seeds you can choose any one of these three):

1. Using sandpaper or a file, roll the seeds. They’re ready when the seed coat changes colour; you don’t want to injure the inside of the seed. You can alternatively use sandpaper to line a container (film canister or tin can) and agitate the seeds inside for about one minute.

2. On the opposite end of the area that looks like a “eyespot” (or the pointy end in some circumstances), which is where the first root (“radicle”) will emerge, nick the seed coat with a nail clipper or knife, being careful not to damage any tissue inside the seed.

3. Soak seeds for 12 to 24 hours in tepid water (no longer; seeds need air too).

Stratification

Seed dormancy is broken by stratification, which is a cold, damp phase. This phenomenon occurs in nature during the winter, preventing seeds from germinating until conditions are more favourable in the spring. Plants that persist over several years, such as perennials, are more likely to require stratification.

1. Sowing in the fall for spring germination promotes natural stratification. You may lose a few seeds due to animals, but most gardeners believe it is worth it because it is such an easy way.

2. Use your refrigerator to stratify.

3. Seeds should be sown into a sanitised container of wet seed-starting mix, according to the seed depth guidelines on the packet.

4. Wrap plastic wrap around the container.

5. Refrigerate the container for 3 to 8 weeks, checking the moisture level on a regular basis. The number of weeks to stratify should be determined by the seed packet.

6. Remove the container from the plastic wrap and place it in a warm (some packs specify an optimal temperature range) indoor location until the seeds germinate. For best germination, check the seed packaging for any special light or darkness requirements. Maintain a moist environment for seeds and seedlings.

Conclusion

 Scarification is the process of weakening, opening, or otherwise changing a seed’s covering to promote germination.  This is a common strategy used by commercial nurseries. Seeds with a hard, nearly impenetrable seed coat (testa) require assistance in penetrating the seed coat in order to absorb (imbibe) water and germinate. Sulphuric acid is used for acid scarification. Seed dormancy is broken by stratification, which is a cold, damp phase. Distribute seeds on absorbent paper to dry at room temperature, separating them so they don’t clump.