Breaking physical seed dormancy in <i>Parkinsonia praecox</i> (Ruiz & Pav. ex Hook.) Hawkins: a comparison between chemical and automated mechanical scarification for arid land restoration

The three scarification treatments (T1, T3, and T4) together significantly increased emergence by ∼300% (range: 293–373%) and decreased MET by ∼40% (range: 35–38%) compared to the control (T0). Seed coat abrasion increased significantly from T0 to T1 to T3. Cotyledon GI was lower in treated seedlings than in the control, suggesting a possible reduction in cotyledon functionality, with similar effects among chemical and mechanical treatments.

Our findings confirm that mechanical scarification breaks seed dormancy just as effectively as chemical treatments. Construction of mechanical scarifiers from low-cost, locally available materials offers a safe, predictable alternative for arid land restoration, eliminating the health hazards and environmental risks associated with chemical methods.</p>