Effect of dormancy breaking treatments on Corchorus olitorius L. accessions

Corchorus olitorius is an indigenous leafy vegetable, which is rich in nutrients and is used for food preparations in low-income households in Africa. However, its cultivation is deterred by delayed seed germination, due to its hard seed coat. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different dormancy breaking methods on enhancing seed germination of Corchorus olitorius accessions. The experiment was conducted at the CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso in the Eastern region, Ghana. Seeds of six Corchorus olitorius accessions were subjected to four dormancy breaking treatments, which include no soaking, soaking in pure water for 24 hours; and soaking in hot water for 30, or 60 seconds at 90 OC. Parameters measured include seed vigour, germination percentage, plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, pod length (cm) and number of seeds per pod. Significant differences (p<0.001) were observed in seed vigour and germination percentage among the six Corchorus olitorius accessions subjected to all dormancy breaking treatments. The highest seed vigour was observed in accession GH10126 soaked in hot water for 30 seconds. The no soaking treatment of accessions GH10070, GH10126 and GH10441 had the lowest vigour. The highest germination percentage was observed in accession GH10308 soaked in hot water for 60 seconds. Corchorus olitorious seeds treated with hot water at 90 OC for 30 or 60 seconds, performed normally with regards to growth and yield when established under field conditions.