Effects of Various Pretreatments on Seed Germination of Calystegia soldanella (Convolvulaceae), a Coastal Sand Dune Plant

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We tested various pretreatments to enhance the germination of `Sea bells' (Calystegia soldanella Roem. et Schult). One experiment, which improved the germination rate by 70％, involved first scarifying the seed coats, then immersing the seeds in 50 ppm GA₃ for 24 h. A GA₃-alone pretreatment did not increase germination. However, the most effective method, with a 100％ success rate, included 3 h of acid pretreatment with 98％ H₂SO₄. We also used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the seed-coat surfaces and cross-sections of dry seeds. SEM showed structural differences between seeds that were not treated and those exposed to 98％ H₂SO₄. The latter treatment allowed the seed coats to crack and break, thereby disrupting their physical dormancy.