Comparative analysis of seed dormancy breaking methods in Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.

Seed dormancy is a significant challenge that hinders the successful germination of Sesuvium portulacastrum, a halophytic species with promising applications in phytoremediation and coastal stabilization. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of several dormancy-breaking treatments on the germination of S. portulacastrum seeds. The treatments assessed include potassium nitrate, sulfuric acid, manual scratching, hot water treatment and gibberellic acid (GA?) in promoting the germination of S. portulacastrum seeds. Each treatment was applied to seeds and germination rates were monitored to determine effectiveness. The results revealed that the treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid for 2 min significantly enhanced germination rates compared to the other methods tested. This method outperformed the others, highlighting its potential as an effective protocol for overcoming dormancy in S. portulacastrum. The findings of this research provide important insights into optimizing germination protocols for this species, which can contribute to its broader use in environmental applications, particularly in restoring degraded coastal areas and improving soil stability. By breaking seed dormancy effectively, S. portulacastrum can be utilized more effectively in restoration projects aimed at addressing environmental degradation and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Overall, this study underscores the importance of understanding and manipulating seed dormancy to promote the use of halophytic species in ecological restoration efforts.