Effects of Accelerated Aging and Acid Scarification of Seed Coat with Hydrochloric Acid on Seed Germination Characteristics of Chickpea c.v. Kaka

To evaluate the effects of accelerated aging and seed coat scarification with Hydrochloric acid (HCl) on seed germination characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) c.v. Kaka, a factorial experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with two factors in laboratory condition. Factors were three levels of accelerated aging for zero, 24 and 48 hours by 45°C and 100% relative humidity and 8 levels of Hydrochloric acid treatments of seeds (dry seed as chickpea), immersion in 0 (distilled water), 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 normal HCl for half an hours. Results showed that accelerated seed aging and HCl treatments both reduced percent and speed of seed germination, epicotyl and root length. Accelerated seed aging increased the negative effects of HCl treatments. Only hydro-priming improved seed germination characteristics in all accelerated aging treatments. On the basis of the results of this experiment, treatment with HCl isn’t a suitable treatment for chickpea seed priming.