A COMBINATION OF CHEMICAL SCARIFICATION AND 6-BENZYLAMINOPURINE (BAP) TREATMENT PROMOTE SEED GERMINATION IN DRACOCEPHALUM KOTSCHYI SEEDS

Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. is a herbaceous wild medicinal plant native to Iran. Due to high degree of seed dormancy, seeds always show a low germination rate. In this study, different treatments were compared to overcome seed dormancy. Different chemical scarifications, including dilution in concentrated sulfuric acid for 15 minutes, culturing seeds in gibberelic acid, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Kinetin, chilling at 4°C for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks and 25°C for 4 weeks were studied. Results showed that chemical scarification treatment using sulfuric acid for 15 minutes and applications of BAP hormone were efficient in promoting seed germination.