• Alanoud Alfagham
• Latifah Alhumaid
• Aminah Alanazi
• Sarah Alsubaie
• Aseel Alsadoun

Dormancy is a critical stage in the life cycle of many plant species, during which seeds or buds enter a state of suspended growth or development. Dormancy enables plants to survive unfavourable conditions and ensures the synchronisation of germination or bud break with suitable environmental cues. However, breaking dormancy can be challenging for researchers and horticulturists aiming to propagate or cultivate plants. Seeds of nine desert species were sown in Petri dishes and subjected to Various dormancy-breaking treatments, focusing on sulfuric acid treatment, gibberellic acid (GA) treatment, high-temperature treatment, low-temperature treatment, soaking treatment, citric acid treatment, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment. The seeds germinated well at day/night temperatures of 25/20 °C. Seeds germinated best in the dark, and the germination was recorded at three germination times (day 3, day 6 and day 27 of sewing). The vitality was measured at day 27. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to determine the morphological variation of plants seeds under study. The research aimed to investigate the relationship between seed cover or testa structure and pretreatment germination methods in various desert plant species. The results showed that H2SO4 treatment significantly increased the germination of Acacia tortilis seeds, while Gibberellic Acid (GA) treatment promoted the germination rates of Acacia gerrardii seeds. Soaking treatment enhanced seed vitality in Acacia gerrardii and Horwoodia dicksoniae. Low-temperature treatment had positive effects on Acacia seyal and Calligonum comosum. Panicum turgidum exhibited increased germination under low temperature, soaking, GA, and high-temperature treatments. Citric acid and H2O2 inhibited germination in some species. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct seed coat patterns among the different plant species. Overall, the study highlighted the effectiveness of specific treatments in breaking seed dormancy and promoting germination and vitality in various plant species, and suggest that testa structure and seed vitality should be considered when assessing germination in desert species. Further research is needed to understand dormancy treatment variability's underlying mechanisms and genetic factors.

desert plant, Seed dormancy, treatment, Seeds germination, vitality, testa structure, seed coat.

"VARIABILITY OF DORMANCY BREAKING TREATMENTS IN SOME DESERT PLANT SPECIES.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 2, page no.d353-d364, February-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2402345.pdf

"VARIABILITY OF DORMANCY BREAKING TREATMENTS IN SOME DESERT PLANT SPECIES.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 2, page no. ppd353-d364, February-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2402345.pdf