Mechanical 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. Scarification, in any form, works by speeding up the natural processes that allow water and air to pass through seed coverings. Scarification also includes the weakening or loss of the hard endocarp shell around the seed in drupes (stone fruits).For these crops to develop a viable stand, the hard seed content must be reduced and germination must be improved. 

To soften hard seeds, seed scarification (physically damaging the seed coat to lessen hard seed while leaving the seed alive) is used. Since the early twentieth century, researchers have experimented with various scarification methods, with varying outcomes. The most common scarification procedures include heat, freeze-thaw, mechanical, and acid scarification. 

What does the scarification mean?

Scarification is the weakening or alteration of a seed’s coat in order to speed up the germination process. Scarification increases the permeability of the seed coat to gas and water.Scarification can help seed batches germinate in a more regulated and uniform manner. This method can be used for large-scale plant operations as well as small-scale growth, such as personal gardens. 

Seeds that have gone through the scarification process sprout faster than unaffected seeds, saving time for the horticulturist.This study examines the literature and compiles information on scarification techniques, with a focus on seeds from the Medicago, Trifolium, and Astragalus species. The information gleaned from this search adds to the seed scarification data bank and aids researchers in improving the approaches.

What is mechanical scarification and its importance?

• Mechanical scarification is the most common type of scarification.
• The testa is manually opened to allow moisture and air in during mechanical scarification.
• Seed coats can be filed using a metal file, rubbed with sandpaper, nicked with a knife, softly split with a hammer, or otherwise weakened or opened.
• Some writers advocate mechanical scarification as a viable alternative to chemical scarification. Those writers, on the other hand, propose manual scarification with sandpaper and discourage the use of the rotating drum due to the significant damage that this procedure can cause to the embryo.
•  Oliveira et all. investigated the effects of mechanical scarification of S. tubulosa using scissors. Aside from that, the mechanical methods indicated are infeasible in the context of seedling production, which necessitates the processing of a large number of seeds in a short amount of time.
• In general, the parent plants appear to influence the seedling quality in forestry seeds  Some germination factors, such as the total germination rate the time required for germination, or both, are affected.

What are the types of scarification?

Scarification can be divided into three categories. Let’s have a look at them:

• Physically opening the seed coating to allow air and water in is referred to as mechanical.
• The use of chemicals to weaken the seed coat and encourage germination is known as chemical germination. Sulfuric acid is a popular chemical utilised in this procedure.
• Thermal treatment is includes the exposing a seeds to hot water for a short period of time.

What are the methods of seed scarification?

• Seed treatments hasten and improve germination, and some plants require more of a push to sprout properly than others. Simply put, gardeners use stratification (warm or cold) and scarification to intentionally mimic natural germination conditions. 
• Scarification causes breaks in a seed’s strong surface, whereas stratification simulates winter conditions so that plants anticipate spring development. Whether seeds have evolved to be scattered by gulls across sand dunes or to take root in a forest dense with trees, sheltered under a sea of skeletal leaves, each plant is truly a product of its environment. 
• Exposure to animals and the environment during the winter season are natural sources of stratification and scarification.
• Gardeners can use the fact that each flower, herb, vegetable, and succulent species is sensitive to its habitat to kickstart germination by simulating the ecosystem’s wintertime circumstances. 

How to scarify a lotus seed?

• If you’re able to take your lotus outside, make sure it’s in direct sunlight. Only lotus tubers are identical to the parent hybrid.
• Hybridized lotus seeds are not an exact copy of the parent hybrid. We cannot guarantee that the lotus seed you get is from a specific hybrid specimen. 
• You must scarify the seed since it will not reproduce otherwise. Hold the lotus seed with pliers and scratch off the hard, brown coating with a metal file. 
• Dropping the seed in a dish of water is the next stage in producing lotus from seed. If the water becomes hazy, carefully drain it out and replace it with new water. It is not necessary to fertilise your lotus seed. 

Conclusion

Scarification is the process of weakening, opening, or otherwise changing a seed’s covering to promote germination. Scarification is a technique for making the testa more permeable to water and gases. Scarification also includes the weakening or loss of the hard endocarp shell around the seed in drupes. Mechanical scarification is the most common type of scarification. The testa is manually opened to allow moisture and air in during mechanical scarification. In general, the parent plants appear to influence the seedling quality in forestry seeds Some germination factors, such as the total germination rate the time required for germination, or both, are affected.