2011 Volume 56 Pages 79-82
Seed germination of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and its wild relative S. mulayanum Nair was examined, focusing on dormancy break of S. mulayanum. S. indicum showed higher germination (%) at 30 and 35℃ as compared to that at 25℃, while S. mulayanum showed deep dormancy and failed to germinate at all temperatures tested. Soaking seeds in gibberellic acid (GA3) solution had no effect on seed germination of S. mulayanum at any concentration (5, 10, 50, 100 and 200μM) of GA3 tested. Treatment of the scarification promoted seed germination of both S. indicum and S. mulayanum and completely broke seed dormancy of S. mulayanum resulting in 90% germination. The present method for seed dormancy break is expected to aid the examination of inheritance mode of seed dormancy in the crossed progeny between the two species.
